Our story
From one class a week to a seven-day academy
Kingston Jiu Jitsu didn’t begin with a business plan or a grand plan to open an academy. It started with a love of Jiu Jitsu, a handful of friends and one hour of training on a Monday night.
2006
The journey begins
At 30, Marc began Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at the Roger Gracie Academy in London.
He had trained in martial arts since his teens, earning a second-degree black belt in karate in his twenties, but BJJ began a new journey. At RGA he met influential teachers and training partners, including Mauricio Gomes, Nicolas Gregoriades and Steve Finan.
2012
One hour on a Monday night
After being promoted to purple belt, Marc began teaching a handful of friends in Kingston.
There was no academy and no big timetable. Just one hour of Jiu Jitsu every Monday evening.
Those sessions became Kingston Jiu Jitsu.
2013
The kids arrive
Marc’s son became interested in training, leading to KJJ’s first children’s classes.
His two daughters would eventually join him on the mats too, and what had begun as a group of friends was becoming a family affair.
2015
Clare starts training
Marc’s wife Clare joined a beginners course and started training herself. With the whole family now involved, Jiu Jitsu had truly become part of family life.
Clare would go on to build KJJ’s hugely popular women’s programme and become an important part of the academy’s teaching team.
2016
Black belt
Ten years after starting BJJ, Marc was promoted to black belt at RGA by Nicolas Gregoriades and Mauricio Gomes.
By then, the small Monday night sessions in Kingston had grown considerably, with classes running several days a week and a thriving community beginning to take shape.
2018
Seven days a week
By 2018, Kingston Jiu Jitsu had grown from one weekly class into a seven-day-a-week academy, with an expanding programme for adults and children.
The club was much bigger, but the aim remained simple: great Jiu Jitsu in a friendly, welcoming environment.
2023
The next generation
By 2023, Marc had promoted several of his own students to black belt and KJJ had developed a large, experienced teaching team, including Yang, Andreas, Simon and Dan.
The handful of people training on Monday nights had become an academy with its own black belts, coaches and next generation of teachers.
Today
Kingston Jiu Jitsu
Today, Kingston Jiu Jitsu is home to a thriving community of adults, children and families.
Some train to compete. Some want to get fitter or learn a martial art. Others simply discover that they love being on the mats.
More than a decade after those first Monday night sessions, the philosophy remains much the same:
Train hard. Look after each other. Keep learning. Enjoy Jiu Jitsu.
A welcoming community
Friendly, supportive and ego-free. From your first class, you’ll be made to feel welcome and part of the team.
World-class lineage
We’re proud members of the Mauricio Gomes Legacy Team, with a lineage and approach to Jiu Jitsu shaped by one of the sport’s most respected pioneers.
Jiu Jitsu for everyone
Adults, kids, complete beginners and experienced competitors all train at KJJ. Whatever your age or experience, there’s a place for you on the mats.
Seven days a week
With beginners’, fundamentals and advanced classes, kids’ sessions, open mats and Muay Thai, there are plenty of opportunities to train throughout the week.
Your first class is on us
Ready to step on the mats?
Book a free trial class and experience the Kingston Jiu Jitsu family for yourself. No experience needed — just bring comfortable clothing and a willingness to learn.