Panayiotis Melodias began judo at the age of six.

He participated in many national competitions and trained

for many years with the national team.

In 1999 he had the luck of meeting Pantelis Panayides

and to learn about BJJ. He noticed the effectiveness

and the realism of BJJ from the beginning. Moreover 

he found the philosophy of Judo hidden in the heart

of BJJ and in the Aspida Team. He competed in

international competitions as well as in two MMA

fights under Aspida Team. He is the first Black

Belt under Pantelis Panayides. He started his own

academy in 2014. He is the founder and the owner

of Renzo Gracie Strovolos. He now teaches in Nicosia,

in Larnaca and in Limassol. BJJ is a way of life for him.