JAMES SMART

FOUNDER & 2nd-degree black belt

James, started Jiu Jitsu in the nineties, has lived in the US and Brazil and has travelled across Europe to train with the Gracie family (the founders of Gracie Jiu Jitsu). He was awarded his Black Belt by Ryron & Rener Gracie in April 2013.

He has over 25 years’ experience in various martial arts, has taught all over the world, and won medals both nationally (in the UK and South Africa) at European level and internationally. James prides himself on giving his students quality training and arming them with the ability to defend themselves in the real world.

ROBYN TAYLOR

SPECIALIST INSTRUCTOR WOMEN EMPOWERED

With over 20 years training in a range of Martial Arts, it was only when she started Gracie Jiu Jitsu in 2011 she realised that until then she would not have been able to successfully defend herself against a much larger and stronger attacker. Knowing how important it is for women to learn Gracie Jiu Jitsu for self defence, she became passionate about encouraging more women to train. Through years of assisting with classes she worked towards her Women Empowered® Instructor Certification and proudly launched the program in South Africa in 2017.

AXEL MOORE

KIDS HEAD INSTRUCTOR

Axel started training Jiu Jitsu at the age of 5 at a small local school close to home, he moved over to Gracie Jiu Jitsu Cape Town a few years later and was the first student to go through all the Junior Belts, his Blue Belt, his Purple Belt and then proudly awarded his Brown Belt by Ryron & Rener Gracie in July 2019.

The most valuable lesson he has learnt over his 15 years of training is to never give up, even when it seems like progression is impossible. He prides himself in teaching his students the lessons he has learnt so that it may help them in their journey too.

DANIEL TAYLOR

INSTRUCTOR

Dan trained Judo for a few years from junior school and then trained Karate in the 90's. Having heard about Gracie Jiu Jitsu in 1996, with the advent of UFC 1 and Royce Gracie choking all his opponents with his pajama's, (back then "real fights" only consisted of kicking and punching). It wasn't until 2009 that he heard about Gracie Jiu Jitsu Cape Town and thought he'd just try 1 class to see what it was all about. Well, he never left. Passionate about sharing the art he loves so much, he started assisting with teaching in 2011 and become a Certified Instructor in 2016. Dan was proudly awarded his Brown Belt by Ryron & Rener Gracie in July 2019.

TYRONE BECK

INSTRUCTOR

Tyrone the Creative Director for one of South Africa's largest Advertising Agencies, started his Jiu Jitsu Journey in 2009. He was drawn initially to the self defence aspect of the art, but it wasn't long before the Gracie Principles and teaching methodology inspired him to become an instructor allowing him to share his passion in his spare time. With almost a decade of Jiu jitsu training, learning and teaching under his belt, Tyrone is passionate about the art and revels in seeing his students succeed in being more street ready.

KYLE SADDINGTON

INSTRUCTOR

For as long as he can remember, Kyle has always loved and actively taken part in martial arts, both as a student and a teacher. After achieving his Black Belt in Karate, he started Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, which became family, lived it, breathed it, taught it and proudly earned his Instructor Stripes. He also gained a lot of experience on the competition circuit which allowed him to pass on even more knowledge to his students. After taking a short break from teaching and training he is now back with a vengeance to spread the word and make sure all of our students get to share in the knowledge of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.

ZAK ROWLANDS

INSTRUCTOR

Zak started training Jiu Jitsu in 2014. So impressed with the efficiency and effectiveness of Gracie Jiu Jitsu, he became an instructor to help others discover the many incredible benefits of learning the art. Zak is passionate about empowering people with the confidence that they can defend themselves and others if ever a situation arose.

LERIA FRANCOIS

WOMEN EMPOWERED INSTRUCTOR

Leria has been training Martial Arts for over 18 years, is a qualified SAKA and WAKO affiliated kickboxing instructor as well as a qualified personal trainer and nutritionist. Upon completing the Women Empowered Program and earning her Pink Belt in 2018 she realised how important this program is for women and is passionate to teach it, she proudly qualified as a Women Empowered Instructor in Los Angeles, USA. Leria's goal and dream is to empower women in all aspects of their lives!