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Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ)
The Ray Stevens Fitness Club is delighted to offer classes in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), in association with Roger Gracie, multiple World Jiu Jitsu champion and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter. Roger is part of the legendary Gracie family and one of the most successful exponents of BJJ and submission wrestling active today.
Ray, himself a black belt in BJJ, has found that working with Roger is of mutual benefit to the two disciplines of judo and jiu jitsu.
The classes are held at the Oberon Pavilion in Wimbledon, please see the class timetable for more details or contact Ray directly. In addition, please see the Latest News page for up to date information on dates of holiday breaks.
You can see details of our BJJ instructors and find out more about BJJ at the Ray Stevens Fitness Club at our associated website www.rogergracieacademywimbledon.co.uk.
Background to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Literally the "art of softness", jiu jitsu was originally conceived as a self defence art based upon principles of balance and leverage and a way of manipulating the body so as to avoid relying upon strength or weapons.
The Gracie family changed the emphasis from take downs and throws to more sophisticated ground fighting and submission techniques. These techniques were so distinctive to Carlos Gracie and his brothers that the sport is now commonly known as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), practised by martial artists all over the world, including Japan.
About Roger Gracie
Roger Gracie Gomes is the son of Reyla Gracie (daughter of Carlos Gracie Sr.) and Mauricio Motta Gomes (one of the 6 BJJ Black Belts of the legendary Rolls Gracie) and part of the legendary Gracie Family . He is currently a Black Belt under Carlos Gracie Jnr. Roger is one of the most exciting prospects on the Jiu Jitsu circuit at the moment. He is following in his father's footsteps in becoming one of the world's best Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Submission Grappling exponents and enjoys an intense rivalry with many of the other high level grapplers.
His most notable achievement to date is winning the prestigious Abu-Dhabi Combat Club Championships in 2005, taking 1st Place in the 88 - 98kg and Open-weight categories, submitting all 8 opponents, a feat that had not previously been achieved.
Roger came 1st in the Black Belt -97kg category of the Brazilian Confederation of Jiu Jitsu (CBJJ) World Championships each year from 2004 to 2007, and 1st in the +97kg category in 2008.
BJJ Instructors
The instructors at the Ray Stevens Fitness Club are from the Roger Gracie Academy. You can find more information about them below and at Roger Gracie's website.
Thomas Genske
Thomas began training in BJJ in June 2000 under Ralph Gracie in San Francisco, Ca. He soon caught the BJJ bug and has been training in the art ever since. Due to his studies and work, he travelled constantly, which gave him the chance to train with many great people in the USA, Spain, Australia, Brazil and other countries.
In January 2009 he was awarded his brown belt under Roger Gracie and given the honour to teach at the Wimbledon Academy. There he shares what he knows and continues to learn from the art with a great group of guys and girls.
He has had competition experience in the UK, Spain, Australia and the USA.