Meet The Coaches

James began his martial arts journey in his teens, studying karate and kickboxing, and earned his black belt in freestyle karate in 1999. Fascinated by Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, he started learning from videos and books with a friend. His formal training began in early 2001 under Ben Poppleton, a blue belt under the Anaconda BJJ banner. James continued his training with Roy Poppleton (under Ben) at various locations, including Baxter Avenue, Roy's home, and finally, the shed. He received his Black Belt from Ben Poppleton in 2023.

Roy's journey in Brazilian 

Jiu-Jitsu is a testament to his unwavering dedication and passion. Starting his training at the age of 55 under the guidance of his son, the legendary Ben Poppleton, Roy achieved his Black Belt eight years ago. His story is a powerful reminder that it's never too late to embark on a new path and excel.

In 2006, Roy built a training shed at his home in Rossington. While it may not look like a typical Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gym from the outside, it has become a welcoming space for anyone eager to train. Over the years, many Black Belts have honed their skills there.

At 81, Roy continues to train and teach every Monday and Thursday, sharing his extensive knowledge and experience with others. His commitment to the art and his students is truly inspiring.

Sandis began his martial arts journey at the age of 5 with boxing, later transitioning to kickboxing and Kyokushin Karate. By 11, he was competing and always striving for gold. With over 100 professional fights, Sandis is a 7-time Latvian champion, Estonian champion, and Baltic champion in K1 kickboxing, Kyokushin, Shidokan, and Ashihara. Seeking to become a complete fighter, he explored grappling and was captivated by Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Sandis has won gold at the Northern Open (Empire) 2023 and the National Masters Championships 2023.