Profile
Piet Wilhelm is a retired United States Marine honorably discharged from being an infantry platoon leader. He taught recruits and members of the armed forces in close combat and martial arts where he found his calling as a civilian. As a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu professor, Piet is the founder of the Triton Fight Center and operates his own facility with his wife Sara in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
Piet Wilhelm is the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Wilhelm and the first member of his family to venture into the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Before his journey into martial arts, Piet began his military career in 1990, enrolling in a military school before receiving an appointment to a service academy in 1994. Driven by a deep sense of duty to his country, he chose to forgo a potential officer commission and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. During his service, Piet was deployed to a variety of locations, including Diego Garcia, Bahrain, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Kosovo, Albania, and Panama. Throughout his career, he held several important roles, including Combat Instructor, Water Survival Instructor, Martial Arts Instructor, Drill Instructor, and Staff Non-Commissioned Officer responsible for preparing Marines for deployment to the Middle East.
Though he is no longer in uniform, Piet’s commitment to serving others continues. He established a Local Heroes Program at his facility in Broken Arrow to assist former military personnel in transitioning to civilian life and coping with PTSD and TBI. His facility is the only martial arts center in the Tulsa metropolitan area recommended by Veterans Affairs. His ongoing dedication earned him an honorable promotion to Gunnery Sergeant upon his retirement.
With over 30 years of martial arts training, Piet Wilhelm is recognized as one of the top Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructors in the Midwest. He earned his blue and purple belts from Henrique Stefani, a black belt under Master Renato Tavares. After Henrique relocated to Brazil, Piet continued his training under Renato Tavares, ultimately earning his brown and black belts, the latter on October 23, 2010.
Since settling in Tulsa, Piet has helped countless individuals achieve success. As the founder of The Triton Fight Center, he has become a hub for mixed martial arts and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners. Piet continues to serve as a professor, coach, and mentor to his students, fostering a supportive community. He remains loyal to his instructors and the Renato Tavares Association, where loyalty and respect are deeply valued qualities.