TAP Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Rock Hill-SC

Abbi Pontes

Coach Abbi Pontes is the head instructor of the women's program and also leads our novice to beginner kids programs at Tap World Class Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.. Originally from South Carolina, Abbi began training in jiu-jitsu as a young teenager. She was very shy as a young girl, but she attributes jiu-jitsu to helping her overcome her shyness and reach her full potential.


With over 7 years of training, Abbi recently achieved the rank of black belt after winning the 2023 IBJJF World Championship. Her promotion took place on the podium, with Professor Bruno Bastos, the head of team LEAD BJJ, and her husband and long-time coach, Professor Thalys Pontes, presenting her with the belt. Abbi is an experienced competitor, having earned titles in major tournaments of the sport.


While Abbi enjoys competing, her true fulfillment comes from teaching her students at TAP World Class Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. She specializes in teaching women and young children, taking joy in helping them develop strength and self-confidence through the practice of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, just as she did.

TAP was created by the husband and wife duo, Thalys and Abbi Pontes.

The name for their academy came from combining their initials, T(halys) A(bbi) P(ontes),

as well as their shared love of making people "TAP out."


TAP Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy was founded with one goal: Be the best Jiu-Jitsu Academy in our community! Now we are.
We offer top-quality teaching methods, expert instruction, a top-notch clean academy, and a family-friendly space for everyone. Our academy provides clear step-by-step classes for both kids and adults, from complete beginners to advanced students. This approach helps develop skilled martial artists and world champion level competitors. 


Our mission is to help individuals of all ages—men, women, and children—improve their lives and become the best version of themselves mentally, technically, physically, and spiritually through the practice of Jiu-Jitsu. Our instructors are highly skilled black belts and world-class athletes who have dedicated their lives to training, teaching, and competing at the highest level of the sport.


TAP learning environment is dynamic and engaging, while ensuring safety for students of all skill levels and ages. When training, we deliver focused instruction on technique and structured learning—providing clear guidance on how, when, why, where, and with whom to apply each technique. We offer a rich variety of classes that build mastery through fundamental yet powerful methods.

Meet Our Instructors

Thalys Pontes

Abbi Pontes

Thalys Pontes

Professor Thalys Pontes serves as the head instructor for both our adult programs and our kids programs (from beginners to advanced) at Tap Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy.


Thalys started training as a young teenager in Brazil. He quickly fell in love with the sport as he recognized the opportunity it provided him to better his life. Thalys now has over 10 years of dedicated experience in Jiu-Jitsu.


Thalys began his journey with team PSLPB Cicero Costha before earning his black belt from team LEAD. He defines his Jiu-Jitsu style as that of a submission hunter, always striving to make his opponents TAP. One of his crowning achievements as an athlete was securing first place in the IBJJF World Championship 2022, the most prestigious tournament in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He has also achieved several other first-place titles in high-level Jiu-Jitsu tournaments, including the IBJJF European, Pan American, and Pan Pacific Championships.


While Thalys has a love for competing, his true passion lies in teaching his students at TAP World Class Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His career as a coach started back when he was a blue-belt in Brazil. Since then, has traveled to 21 different countries to immerse himself in learning, sharing, teaching, coaching, and competing. Thalys takes great joy in imparting the knowledge he has gained from his extensive travels and life experiences to his students, fostering their growth and development.