Head Instructor - Chris Rees purple belt
Chris is a three stripe purple belt under Braulio Estima and an official instructor under the Gracie Barra Association. He has twenty years of martial arts experience and holds black belts in traditional Ju-Jutsu, Shotokan Karate and Aikido.
Chris has been teaching martial arts to children and adults since 2002 and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu since 2004. You can expect to be guided through your BJJ practice from beginning to end with each technique broken down and fully explained in a relaxed, safe and friendly atmosphere.
Chris' Bio;
1991: Awarded Shotokan Karate 1st Dan by Barrie Mainwaring (5th Dan)
1996: Awarded Aikido 1st Dan by Gwyn Jones (6th Dan Head of Shin gi tai Aikido
Association)
1999: Awarded Japanese Ju Jutsu 1st Dan by Anthony Rigdon
2001: Awarded Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu purple belt by Carley Gracie
2004: Started training as purple belt with Braulio Estima & Roger Gracie
2007: Appointed as head coach of Trojan Free Fighters Wales
1997 Southern Open Submission Grappling Championships (under 75kg) - Bronze
1997 British Open Submission Grappling Championships (under 75kg) - Silver
1998 Southern Open Gi Championships (under 80kg) - Gold
1998 Northern Open Submission Grappling Championships (under 80kg) - Gold
1998 Midlands Open Submission Grappling Championships (under 80kg) - Gold
1998 British Open Submission Grappling Championships (under 80kg) - Gold
1998 British Open Submission Grappling Championships (open weight) - Gold
1998 European Invitational Submission Grappling (open weight) - Gold
2000 Midlands Open Submission Grappling Championships (100kg+) - Bronze
2000 Southern Open Submission Grappling Championships (under 100kg) - Gold
2002 British Open Submission Grappling (open weight) - Gold
2003 British Open Submission Grappling (open weight) - Gold
2007 Member of the Gracie Barra UK purple belt team vs. Team Brazil at the
CBJJ European Championships
2007 Competed in the inaugural 10k Ground Clash
2008 Gracie Invitational purple belt (medium heavy) - Bronze
2008 Gracie Invitational team event - Bronze
Assistant Instructor - Rob Taylor purple belt
Rob started training in January 2005 and is now a one stripe purple belt under Braulio Estima. He assists Chris in both the childrens and adults classes. He also teaches the Sunday morning class and covers for any lessons when Chris is unavailable.
Rob's bio;
30/10/05: Awarded blue belt by Braulio Estima
08/04/07: Awarded purple belt by Braulio Estima
2006 Welsh Open Grappling Championships (under 80kg) - Gold
2007 British Submission Grappling Championships (under 80kg) - Gold
2007 Grapple & Strike Amateur League Welterweight Champion (under 77kg)
Amateur MMA record: 5-0-0 (see HERE for details)
Assistant Instructor - Steve Pascoe blue belt
Steve started training in June 2005 and is currently a two stripe blue belt under Braulio Estima. He helps out with the childrens classes and also the adults classes if Chris or Rob are not available.
Steve's bio
11/06: Awarded blue belt by Braulio Estima
2006 (Oct) Combat Academy Gi Groundfighting Championships (under 86kg) - Silver
2007 (Apr) Combat Academy Gi Groundfighting Championships (under 86kg) - Bronze
2007 (Oct) Combat Academy Gi Groundfighting Championships (under 78kg) - Gold