Instructors & Staff

Australia

All of our instructors are available for personalised, one on one lessons with students.

Mario Sergio Yokoyama – Head Instructor

Professor Mario Sergio Yokoyama, a 5th-degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, is internationally recognized as a leading figure in both BJJ and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).

Renowned for his innovative training methods, deep technical knowledge, and sharp attention to detail, Professor Mario has shaped the myBJJ Team’s curriculum and instructor development programs from the ground up.

He was awarded his BJJ black belt by the late Ryan Gracie and also holds a black belt in Judo. Over his competitive career, Mario has earned numerous titles, including:

CFC Lightweight Champion (MMA)

King of the Ring Lightweight Champion (MMA)

IBJJF New York Open Champion

IBJJF Asian Open Champion

IBJJF Melbourne Open Champion

IBJJF World No-Gi Silver Medalist

Rafael ‘Gordinho’ Correa de Lima – Mentor Instructor

Co-leader of Asia's premier MMA gym, Evolve MMA, Gordinho is a multiple time World Champion Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Carlos Gracie Jr. Gordinho is responsible for the Renzo Gracie Curriculum at Evolve MMA in Singapore and Brazil. Lending his expertise to the myBJJ Team, Gordinho visits Sydney annually to mentor our students and instructors.

Diogo Morgado – Instructor

Diogo is one of our most patient Instructors. His BJJ journey started in his hometown of São Paulo, Brazil. He is an active competitor and has taken home many medals and awards. Since living in Australia Diogo has been developing his knowledge on Sports Coaching and aspires to be one of the greatest coaches in the BJJ world. Known for his gentle teaching style, you can find Diogo conducting Kids and Adult classes.

Greg Cleary – Instructor

Greg has been involved in the Martial Arts for over 35 years. In addition to his myBJJ Black belt, he holds a Black belt in Goju-ryu Karate and P10 Level in Krav Maga. You can find Greg teaching the Master MMA classes at HQ.

Ben Gottlieb – Instructor

Born & raised in Sydney, Australia. Ben has actively trained Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Professor Mario Yokoyama since 2012, he currently holds his black belt. He has competed nationally & taken home many Gold medals across a variety of divisions. Ben is a patient and kind teacher and is always willing to lend a helping hand. You will find him teaching the Mixed BJJ classes.

Toshi Miyazawa – Instructor

Born and raised near Nagano, Japan, Toshi holds a black belt in Judo & a Black belt in Ju-Jitsu, he even cross trains in Sambo! Since starting BJJ under Prof. Mario in 2008, Toshi brings all meaning to "The Gentle Art" with his knowledge on sweeps & technique. In 2014 Toshi became the NSW light-weight state champion in both Gi & No-Gi. Toshi is also a University graduate of Sports Science.

Matt Lim – Instructor

Professor Mat holds a Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Professor Mario Yokoyama. He started his BJJ journey many years ago & is one of our most skillful and technical teachers. You will find Mat teaching the Early morning Monday sessions at HQ & training along side you in most Advanced classes.

Aiden Thurloe – Instructor

Aiden Thurloe, from Sydney Australia is a Brown belt under Prof. Mario Yokoyama. Aiden is one of our youngest instructors but one of our most versatile. He has represented myBJJ across many different competitions at different levels & is a fierce competitor. You will find Aiden teaching the Advanced and No-Gi classes at our Camperdown and Neutral Bay location.

Brian Luhr – Instructor

Meet Brian! Brian, what inspired you to start practicing Jiu Jitsu? As a life-long martial arts enthusiast, I knew when I got back into training that I wanted to do something with practical self-defense application. I settled on doing either BJJ or Muay Thai. But when I realized I'd look terrible in Muay Thai shorts, BJJ was the only option.

Who was your most influential coach or mentor? Coach Amy. She's always so relaxed and chilled out when she does Jiu Jitsu, while simultaneously being incredibly deadly. Plus, I think she might be reading these answers, so I'd better say her.

What's your go-to advice for beginners in Jiu Jitsu? Work out what aspect of BJJ you have the most fun pursuing and focus on that. Whether that means learning techniques, trying to be a tough sparring partner, or just spending time with your friends, focus on what is fun for you personally. If you're having fun, training is easy.

And just for fun, if you could train with any fictional character, who would it be and why? Donatello. I think he'd be pretty technical but also not hyper aggressive. Definitely not Raphael.

Amy Campbell – Instructor

Meet Amy! Amy, what inspired you to start practicing Jiu Jitsu? I have 2 older brothers; we've been beating each other up since day 1 out of the womb. One day they were undefeatable, no more "dirty fighting", it was all controlled and I couldn't do a thing. Turns out they were secretly practicing Jiu-Jitsu. I NEEDED to understand this skill. They invited me to attend a class, since that day I've basically lived at the gym.

Who was your most influential coach or mentor? Professor Mario. It does not matter how much you think you know, because he will always show you a more efficient way to perform a technique - a humble reminder that there is always more to learn and ways to improve.

What's your go-to advice for beginners in Jiu Jitsu? A word of advice that someone special once told me that I've never forgotten: Stop comparing yourself to others. Compare yourself to when you first started.

And just for fun, can you share a funny or memorable moment from your training? I was training midday class, tough rolls, sweaty men... the whole deal. I was rolling with one of the guys, underneath side control with a sneaky trap choke, he jokingly said 'I don't know if this will...', 2 seconds later, he was out... unconscious... on top of me. I felt like a turtle with a very heavy shell. :P Jiu-jitsu hey!

Ben Smith – Instructor

Tristan Wright – Instructor

Meet Tristan! Tristan, what inspired you to start practicing Jiu Jitsu? I was a traditional martial artist, and I read a book by an English bouncer, who came to the conclusion that if you couldn't grapple you couldn't fight. So, I turned up day 1 was absolutely rubbish and couldn't do anything off my back. I couldn't tolerate being so bad at something, so I stuck around. As I became better, I really fell in love with rolling and the sport.

Who was your most influential coach or mentor? I've been influenced by all the coaches. I've tried to incorporate their own unique moves and strategy into my own. Sometimes better than others.

What's your go-to advice for beginners in Jiu Jitsu? I always tell beginners to breathe. Slowdown. Try and feel the move when it's shown to you.

And just for fun, if you could have any superpower to use in jiujitsu, what would it be? It would have to be rubber limbs like Mr. Fantastic.... finally, I could do 10th planet finishes.

John Luhr – Instructor

Meet John! John, what inspired you to start practicing Jiu Jitsu? My brother forced me to go to Jiu Jitsu because he had started a few months before. I have spare time during Christmas holidays, and he said I had to go with him. I ended up signing up and buying a Gi on the spot even though I couldn’t finish the class.

Who was your most influential coach or mentor? Aidan changed the way I see Jiu Jitsu and opened up my understanding that’s it is important to learn and understand everything about BJJ. Even if I don’t regularly find myself in certain positions, I should still understand them. As an added bonus he inspired my love of the wrestle.

What's your go-to advice for beginners in Jiu Jitsu? Ask questions and listen to your coaches. Until you have an understanding don’t look at anything on the internet. Just learn the things you are taught in class. Every class try to learn one thing and over time you’ll be able to learn full sequences as your one thing.

And just for fun, if you could have any superpower to use in jiujitsu, what would it be? Endurance. Being able to withstand pressure and last forever without ever running out of gas are the best things for Jiu Jitsu. Super powered or not.

Shane Winterton – Instructor

Stuart Brain – Instructor

Meet the beast of a black belt, Stuart!

Kangjin Choi – Instructor (Westside)

Kangjin started training BJJ in Seoul, Korea under the 'Ratel Yellow BJJ Team' in early 2010. He joined myBJJ as a purple belt in 2015. He is currently a Black belt & operates one of the myBJJ schools in Lidcombe. An avid competitor, he has acquired many gold medals. The most recent being the 2018 Oceania Championship. Kangjin is qualified as a Kinesi therapy specialist (physiology therapy) & Ashitanga Yoga.

Kevin Moss – Instructor (Woy Woy)

Robin Lay – Instructor

Robin began his jiu-jitsu training in 2017 under Professor Mario Yokoyama. Since then, he has steadily progressed to earn his Black belt, his forte being his bottom guard and takedowns. He has earned a reputation for his competitive success, winning gold in several prestigious competitions, including Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro and NSW State Championship for Brown belt and Sydney International Open for Purple belt. Outside of BJJ, he regularly surfs, and has been involved in a variety of sports including judo, football, and yoga, no doubt contributing to his BJJ skillset and his approach to teaching.

New Zealand

Stuart Marks – Principal Instructor (Dunedin)

As a partner and Principal Instructor at Oceania Fitness Solutions in Dunedin, New Zealand, Stuart was the first myBJJ Team student to be graded all the way from white to black belt under Head Instructor Mario Yokoyama. A passionate and technical instructor, Stuart often travels to Australia to keep up-to-date with the myBJJ curriculum and team news.

James Cherrie – Senior Instructor (Whangarei)

Professor James is originally from Whangarei, New Zealand & has had a life long obsession with martial arts. He started training martial arts when he was just 6 years old. He has been trained in Goju Ryu Karate, Kickboxing, Traditional Japanese jiu jitsu, MMA, Tai Chi Chuan and also a Brown Sash and 3x New Zealand National Champion in Shao Chi Chuan Kung Fu. James started BJJ in 2002 in Dunedin, New Zealand, with Stuart Marks. He lived in Japan for 8 years and started the Okinawan Branch of myBJJ in Japan, and his students also teach at myBJJ USA. He has won a fair share of BJJ competitions and still enjoys competing. James returned to his home town to start the first ever brazilian jiu jitsu school in the province of Northland in New Zealand. He received his black belt from Professor Mario in 2016. IBJJF member number: 125714

Japan

Roberto ‘Betinho’ Yokoyama – Senior Instructor (Brazil/Japan)

Moving to Japan from his home in Brazil, Betinho started his training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at the original myBJJ Team in Nagoya. The cousin of Head Instructor, Mario Yokoyama, Betinho is considered one of Japan's top competitors and currently teaches at myBJJ Team in Aichi-ken, Japan.