# Andris Brunovskis > Latvia ## Overview **Name:** Andris Brunovskis **Nationality:** Latvia ## Bio Andris Brunovskis was born on the 8th of August, 1990. Though both of Andris’ parents are Latvian, Brunovskis was born in the United States. Jiu jitsu appeared in Brunovskis’ life when he was 16 years old while living in Cleveland, Ohio. His first coach was Darren Branch at Evolution Jiu Jitsu, which later became an affiliate of Gracie Humaitá . Andris became fascinated by grappling even at an early age, and the sport was an important part of his life almost from the get-go. After he moved to Sacramento, Brunovskis continued his training at Cassio Werneck ‘s academy. A former world champion, Werneck’s experience helped Andris earn his first world title, as a blue belt (2008). It was during his time in Sacramento that Brunovskis met Keenan Cornelius and the two became good friends. Andris often traveled from Cleveland to Sacramento to visit his family, dividing his training between Branch and Werneck. While competing in Ohio, Brunovskis was scouted by Lloyd Irvin who saw the talent in Brunovskis. Lloyd offered Andris the chance to train full time for his team, with all expenses paid for, a chance immediately accepted by the young athlete. Brunovskis would later be the main reason why Keenan Cornelius decided to join Irvin’s Maryland  based team. Living in a “fighter house” with fellow teammates who ate and drank jiu jitsu 24/7, Andris went through a great competitive period, but as the Team Lloyd Irvin scandal broke out early in 2013, involving the alleged rape of a fellow student and the somber past of the team’s leader, the competition group split and the majority of the team (specially those who had been scouted from other teams) left TLI, this included Brunovskis. The split from Lloyd Irvin’s team left Andris in a precarious situation. With no financial means to train full time, and no fixed team, Brunovskis had to take one step back in order to re-group. He returned to his grappling career in 2014 with the Atos Jiu Jitsu academy , where he met many of his former team mates. On September 2014 Andris Brunovskis was awarded his black belt by his new instructor, André Galvão . Banner picture taken by Kenny Jewel of GrappleTv Andris Brunovskis vs Christopher Broudnax Andris Brunovskis vs Wellington Dias --- **Last Updated:** March 21, 2026 **Data Source:** BJJ.Space (https://bjj.space/people/andris-brunovskis-cd969046aed9)