My Jiu-Jitsu journey started way back when I was still in High School in 2001 training in the North of England with my first instructor Gary Savage. Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie Snr > Carlson Gracie Snr > Gutenburg Melo > Mario Sukata > Gary Savage In my first few years when Jiu Jitsu was in its infancy in the UK I had the privilege of attending a seminar with the Megaton Diaz and competing in the SFUK against the likes of a young Braulio Estima. After leaving school for University and being unable to find somewhere to train I eventually found the legendary Les Allen (Pancrase veteran - Lions Den, Rigan Machado Black Belt) in a neighbouring city who I had the honour of training with albeit briefly due to distance, studies and student finances. Life got in the way and some 13yrs later in 2017 started my journey again in London. After a brief spell at New School BJJ under Nicky Robinson and an even briefer spell at Carlson Gracie under Wilson Junior I found my home at Wave BJJ Chiswick under Lorenzo Fraquelli, Roger Gracie Black Belt and was awarded my Blue Belt by Lorenzo in Dec 2018. Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie Snr > Helio Gracie > Carlos Gracie Jnr > Roger Gracie > Lorenzo Fraquelli Whilst at Wave I benefitted from the instruction of other notable black belts Richard Kerrigan and Silviu Nastasa and was able to attend seminars with legends such as Jeff Glover, Jake Shields, Kurt Osiander, Priit Mihkelson and Chris Foran. With COVID and a house move then a non commutable distance to Wave I found my new home at FC Gym Balham where under the instruction of James Saks earnt my Purple Belt in Jan 2023. Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie Snr > Robson Gracie > Aloisio Silva > Joao Silva > James Saks FC Gym being part of Team ZR I have attended seminars with Jose Olimpio “Ze Radiola” & Max Carvalho and benefitted from the instruction of other notable black belts such as Tommy Yip and Catch wrestling coach Kojo Lewis. When James left FC Gym Balham to return to South Africa to set up ZR South Africa he was replaced as Head Coach by Thomas Kartas. Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie Snr > Helio Gracie > Carlos Gracie Jnr > José Olimpio > Max Carvalho > Thomas Kartas Thomas awarded me my Brown Belt on my 40th Birthday in November 2024, 23yrs after first stepping on the mats. Due to time and distance I now train full time close to my home with the “Northern Monkey” Carl Fisher at Wimbledon BJJ. Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Rolls Gracie > Romero Cavalcanti > Ricardo Vieira > Luiz Ribeiro > Carl Fisher While visiting my wife’s family for extended periods of time in Lithuania I have the pleasure of training under 6th degree Black Belt, Iran Mascarenhas: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie Snr > Reyson Gracie > Osvaldo Alves > Roberval Mascarenhas > Iran Mascarenhas