News & EventsBJJKO News for 2025
Congratulations
Another Fantastic Day of Grading, Congratulations to all of those who too part today.
Well done to all students that passed today and were promoted to the grade they have been working hard towards. Commiserations to those who didn't quite make it today, we will make sure you have another opportunity very soon.
A Special thank you to all of the Uke's for giving their time, and to all of the supporters from clubs within the BJJKO family, your support makes a huge difference to students taking their grades.
Black Tiger Kenpo Karate
Congratulations to Frank Graham from Black Tiger Kenpo Karate Club
Promoted to SHODAN - 1st Degree Black Belt
24th November 2025
Congratulations, very well done.
Ju-Jitsu Academy Robert Clark Belgium
Congratulations to Lucien Andries Sensei from Ju-Jitsu Academy Robert Clark, BJJKO Belgium.
Promoted to ROKUDAN - 6th Degree Black Belt
8th October 2025
Well done Sensei, a long awaited grading and proof that hard work and commitment pays off.
Congratulations, very well done.
Ju-Jitsu Academy Robert Clark Belgium
Congratulations to Lucien Andries Sensei from Ju-Jitsu Academy Robert Clark, BJJKO Belgium.
Promoted to
KOBUJUTSU SHODAN - 1st Degree Black Belt
8th October 2025
Congratulations, very well done.
Stoke Ju-Jitsu
Promoted to SHODAN 1st Degree Black Belt
27th October 2025 - Conah Hawtin
Congratulations Conah, well done.
BJJKO Leadership
Promoted to KUDAN 9th Degree Black Belt
11th October 2025 - Andrew McConville Shihan
Congratulations Shihan, Well Deserved.
Promoted to
JUDAN 10th Degree Black Belt
11th October 2025 - Mike Rowan Hanshi
Congratulations Hanshi, Well Deserved.
The BJJKO Leadership would like to congratulate our two highest graded instructors, who for many in the BJJKO family have been a source of inspiration for many years, these grades recognise their dedication to the art of Ju-Jitsu, the contribution they have made during a lifetime of training and teaching our next generation, passing of knowledge and keeping our art alive by sharing their extensive experience with everyone who attends our seminars each year.
Sale Ju-Jitsu
Promoted to SHODAN 1st Degree Black Belt
11th October 2025 - Joshua Salt
Congratulations Josh, well done.
Sale Ju-Jitsu
Promoted to SHODAN 1st Degree Black Belt
11th October 2025 - John Garland
Congratulations John, well done.
Sale Ju-Jitsu
Promoted to NIDAN 2nd Degree Black Belt
11th October 2025 - Liam Robinson
Congratulations Liam, well done.
Stoke Ju-Jitsu
Promoted to SANDAN 3rd Degree Black Belt
11th October 2025 - Brian Wall
Congratulations Brian, well done.
Sale Ju-Jitsu
Promoted to Junior Black Belt
11th October 2025 - Harbin Mann
Congratulations Harbin, well done.
Sale Ju-Jitsu
Promoted to Junior Black Belt
11th October 2025 - Elizabeth Mann
Congratulations Lilly, well done.
Burscough Ju-Jitsu
Promoted to Junior Black Belt
11th October 2025 - Luke Picket
Congratulations Luke, well done.
Burscough Ju-Jitsu
Promoted to YONDAN 4th Degree Black Belt
11th October 2025 - Anthony Allan
Congratulations Anthony, well done.
Burscough Ju-Jitsu
Promoted to SHODAN 1st Degree Black Belt
11th October 2025 - Isaac Charlton
Congratulations Isaac, well done.
Congratulations
Promoted to BJJKO Instructor, 6th September 2025,
Anthony Allan from Burscough Ju-Jitsu Club, Congratulations Sensei and welcome to the team.
Burscough Ju-Jitsu
Promoted to SHODAN 1st Degree Black Belt
6th September 2025 - Keith Christie
Congratulations Keith, well done.
Congratulations
Promoted to BJJKO Senior Instructor, 10th May 2025,
Ian Stringman from Burscough Ju-Jitsu Club, Congratulations Sensei and welcome to the team.
Welcome
The Directors and officials of the BJJKO would like to Officially welcome Russ Walsh Sensei, Oliver Bullock Sensei and students from Burscough Ju-Jitsu Club.
Burscough Ju-Jitsu Club has been developing students for more than 30 years under the guidance of Sensei Russ Walsh and his Team of Instructors. We are pleased to announce that Burscough Ju-Jitsu Club are now part of our growing family.
We are proud that Sensei Walsh and Sensei Bullock have chosen to be part of our organisation and look forward to many years of friendship.
Welcome Sensei’s, here’s to a busy and exciting year ahead.
Congratulations
Promoted to BJJKO Instructor, 26th April 2025,
Steve Hargreaves from Sale Ju-Jitsu Academy, Congratulations Steve and welcome to the team.
Congratulations
Promoted to BJJKO Instructor, 26th April 2025,
Samuel Bercik from Sale Ju-Jitsu Academy, Congratulations Sam and welcome to the team.
Makoto Ryu Ju-Jitsu
Promoted to ROKUDAN 6th Degree Black Belt
15th March 2025 - Gareth Waite
Congratulations Gaz, well done.
Karma Ju-Jitsu
Promoted to Junior Black Belt
15th March 2025 - Sky Howcroft and Duncan Wilson
Congratulations to you both, well done.
Stoke Ju-Jitsu - Our Journey... So Far A Success Story by Senior Instructor Rob Buckley
As head coach at Stoke Jujitsu Club (a young club with no more than 24 students), I was saddened to learn that I would have to close the doors of my club due to the global pandemic.
During this time, I was a part of a different federation (to the BJJKO) and training of all kinds had to cease. These were difficult times for all of us, and as a club owner, I had no reassurances about the future of my club.
I did not know if I was going to be able to open again, whether my students would return or even if I would return to training myself or just hang up my Gi and call it a day.
With no support in place and very little guidance, I did not know what to do.
I remember talking to my wife about the advertising that I had seen on social media for the BJJKO, and being impressed at how well they communicated with their members, making them aware and providing up-to-date knowledge of what clubs could and could not do during these times. It was refreshing to see an organization trying to move forward in the current climate, with a clear purpose and direction. It was after a few days of seeing this that I knew; this was the same direction in that I wanted to take my club.
One afternoon, I decided to pick up the phone and contact the BJJKO, little did I know that this one moment was going to change everything for my club, my students and myself. It was nice to speak to Lee Nelson Sensei, and we spent time just talking about training and past experiences, before the real conversation started. I told Lee of my admiration for the BJJKO and how impressed I was at how they were handling themselves, during the pandemic.
The more we talked the more I asked about the organization.
I knew at this point I wanted to be a part of the BJJKO, and the conversation ended there.
Moving forward (5 years), and we have never had any regrets of the decision (to join the BJJKO). From day one, Stoke Ju-jitsu has gone from strength to strength. We have received an endless amount of encouragement and guidance from the directors, with each of them having a massive influence on my personal development, not only as a coach, but also as a student and as friends. The BJJKO have provided me with the opportunity and platform to grow and flourish, which has been backed with endless support and encouragement – I have even hosted events and taught at multiple seminars, something that I thought I would never get the chance to do.
My advice to anyone, who is looking to develop his or her club or grow as a student, is to look no further than the BJJKO. If you have any doubts, I would be more than happy to speak with you about my experiences, but I strongly recommend that you look no further and just have that initial conversation. – You will not regret it.
Rob Buckley
Club Coach, BJJKO Stoke Ju-jitsu - BJJKO
Stoke Ju-Jitsu Instructors Pictured with their Junior Class
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