Jiu-Jitsu is the least aggressive discipline (though highly competitive), where the aim is to neutralise your opponent by turning an apparent disadvantage into a dominant position, and forcing submission. There’s a lot of floor work (most real fights end up on the ground, and this is where the battle is won, if someone knows what they’re doing).
Our Jiu-Jitsu classes focus on grappling and ground-fighting techniques, perfect for self-defence situations.
Jiu-Jitsu focuses on the skill of taking an opponent to the ground, controlling one’s opponent, gaining a dominant position, and using a number of techniques to force them into submission via joint locks or chokeholds.
The relative strength of the opponents is made irrelevant by knowledge of the body’s vital points. Maximum results are produced from what seems like minimal physical effort.
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There is a series of belts and belt-stripes, to mark your progress every step of the way. Jiu-Jitsu doesn’t operate to a fixed syllabus, however, but gives attention to every individual student, ensuring they develop at a pace that suits them, mentally and physically.
Abel Martinez is a national and international Master Instructor in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu which he describes as the “gentle art”, and is the lead on Jiu-Jitsu teaching at Meiji Martial Arts.
Abel has been an instructor for more than twenty years and has experience in several styles of martial arts including kickboxing, and started his martial arts journey at the age of twelve learning Shotokan Karate. When he discovered Jiu-Jitsu, he knew he has found his martial art and has been teaching ever since.
He describes Jiu-Jitsu as similar to Judo - teaching key principles of self-defence and giving pupils news skills to gain an advantage. Abel is a BJJ British Champion as well as a national and international champion and a black belt (third degree).
"It is definitely the gentle art, but it is such as effective martial art, I love the simplicity of it because it allows the weaker person to beat the stronger person. I love the fact that it is something you are always learning and can always develop.
"I enjoy teaching and being able to pass on the skills to my pupils and to see them grow in their confidence. I have the same love and passion for it that I had when I first walked into a class."
Abel Martinez
Coach Marcia (Moli) De Oliveira Ramos
Meiji Jiu-Jitsu
Known as 'Moli’, she was born in Brazil, and started to practise Judo when she was 14 years old.
In Brazil she participated in several regional tournaments and is a Black Belt 2nd Dan in Judo. She moved to London in 2009 and since then has been practising and teaching Judo at various locations around London.
She is a specialist in working with neurodivergent children and was promoted to Black Belt in December 2022.
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"Been 4 years doing Jiu-Jitsu with Coach Abel. I'm approaching 50 but feel as fit as a fiddle. Great to be working with such enthusiastic people, many (most!) who are younger than me! Do it now!"
Tom
5 out of 5 stars
"Been with Coach Abel for 5 years now. Took me a year and a half to earn my Blue Belt. Brazilian Jiu- Jitsu is very demanding and detailed. I like that, because it means you really have to earn your belts. They don't give you your belt, you have to take it off them. You have to be ready and confident for the next one, so there are no illusions."
Mary
5 out of 5 stars
"I get so much from Jiu-Jitsu, and have been doing it now for 4 years. Coach Abel frequently uses me to demonstrate his techniques in front of the other students. I also assist generally with the classes. They say that the best way to learn is to teach, and how true that is."
Jan
5 out of 5 stars
"Coach Abel is the best in the business. I've been travelling from East to West London for over 4 years now just to train with him. His passion and enthusiasm for BJJ is contagious and keeps you coming back. He maintains a safe training environment for everyone and has built a great team around him. I highly recommend Coach Abel, I wouldn't train under anyone else."
