About Vaughan Jiu-Jitsu Academy

Established in 2022, Vaughan Jiu-Jitsu Academy is where ordinary people come to learn a new skill and grow as a person. We not only teach martial arts skills, focusing on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Grappling, but we also emphasize the development of the whole person, from character development to physical development, as well as community service.

Our comprehensive approach to fitness and martial arts sets us apart from any other Jiu-Jitsu Club based in the city of Vaughan. We look at the big picture and combine the best aspects of all types of martial art facilities to embody this approach and redefine what a classic Jiu-Jitsu academy can be. Since showing up can be the hardest part, we strive to make sure that everything else is taken cared of by us.

READ OUR DOJO RULES

"Our mission is to provide a high level of physical and mental learning environment for discovering jiu-jitsu as a tool for discipline, self-improvement and a healthy life-style."

The fundamentals of good jiu-jitsu are the fundamentals of good character.

Our principle values are:

Justice or Rectitude - to be morally correct behaviour or thinking; righteousness
Courage - to be strong in the face of fear, pain or grief.
Benevolence - to be the quality of being well meaning; kindness
Refinement - to be cultured elegance in behaviour or manner.
Honesty - to be truthful or not lie.
Honour - to regard or treat someone or self with admiration and respect
Duty - to be moral or to take on a responsibility.
Integrity - to have a firm adherence to moral principles

Our dedicated members come from all walks of life and professions. Yet we share the same goals for discipline, self-improvement and sharing knowledge. Passion and enthusiasm go hand-in-hand with everything we do. Our door is always open to new members, no matter their experience level. We are proud to bring together people from all over Vaughan and the GTA.

Come join us at our next class — we’d love to share all that Vaughan Jiu-Jitsu Academy has to offer.

FREE TRIAL CLASS

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Professor Michael Aviado

As a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt Instructor since 2017, Prof. Aviado learned that the journey to success starts from within. That’s why when it comes to the study of jiu-jitsu, he stressed that the value of every martial artist is not based on their current skillset, but on their passion to pass their knowledge and the desire to continue to learn and grow.

Professor Aviado is an active teacher, competitor and official on the local and international scene.

Some of Prof. Aviado's most recent accomplishments include:

2nd Degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt
2023 IBJJF Worlds Masters - Gold (Blackbelt, Masters)
2023 JAPAN KANSAI International Open - Gold
2023 NAGA Philadelphia - Gold
2022 IBJJF Toronto No-Gi - Gold (Blackbelt Masters Absolute)
2019 IBJJF No-Gi Worlds - Gold (Blackbelt Masters)
2019 IBJJF No-Gi Pans - Gold (Blackbelt Masters)
2018 IBJJF Worlds Masters - Gold (Blackbelt, Masters)
2017 IBJJF Worlds Masters - Gold (Brownbelt Masters)
2017 NAGA World Championships - Gold (Brownbelt) Gold (Absolute)

6x IBJJF Worlds Masters Champion

2x IBJJF No-Gi Pans Champion

ADCC, IBJJF, JJIF, OJA Certified Official Referee

BJJ Lineage:

Jigoro Kano > Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlson Gracie > Helio Gracie > Joao Barreto > Flavio Behring > Alvaro Barreto > Sylvio Behring > Shah Franco > Marco Costa > Michael Aviado

Professor Val Ostanov

Professor Val Ostanov, is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt with over 20 years of Greco-Roman and Freestyle Wrestling experience and a Master of Sports in Sambo. Val grew up wrestling and competing and brings an incredible depth of knowledge and experience to NoGi Grappling and Jiu-Jitsu.

2nd Degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt
Master of Sports in Sambo
25+ Years of Greco-Roman and Freestyle Wrestling
2011 IBJJF No-Gi World Championships – Silver Medalist

BJJ Lineage:

Jigoro Kano > Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlson Gracie > Helio Gracie > Joao Barreto > Flavio Behring > Alvaro Barreto > Sylvio Behring > Shah Franco > Marco Costa > Val Ostanov

Coach Joseph Hirasawa

Coach Joseph Hirasawa is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Purple Belt instructor under Prof. Aviado. A life-long martial artist with prominent Black Belts in Judo and Taijutsu, Joseph teaches Comprehensive No-Gi classes and the Team Leader of the VBJJ Competition Team.

Joseph is an active teacher and competitor where he achieved:

2024 ADCC Toronto - Silver
2023 Ontario Open Nogi - Gold
2023 Lutando Series- Gold Nogi
2023 Grappling Industries Toronto - Gold Nogi
2022 Godai Open - Double Gold (Weight & Absolute)
2022 Ontario Provincials - Bronze Nogi
2022 The Way Jiu-Jitsu Tournament - Gold
2022 Ontario Open - Gold, Bronze (Absolute)
2022 GTA Classic - Bronze

Our Academy

Coach Yuki Hanaoka

Yuki is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Blue Belt assistant instructor under Professor Aviado. Passionate about the sport as well as self defense, Yuki assists in leading the Women's BJJ Program at Vaughan BJJ.

Yuki has been an active competitor since 2017, where she achieved the following successes:

2024 Grappling Industries - Silver Medalist
2022 Godai Open - Gold Medalist
2022 GTA Classic Jiu Jitsu Silver Medalist
2022 Ontario Open Jiu Jitsu Silver Medalist

At Vaughan Jiu-Jitsu Academy, all our instructors' lineage can be traced directly to Grand Master Helio Gracie. We provide Jiu-jitsu self-defense, anti-bullying techniques and high-level sport jiu-jitsu instruction. We offer over a clean 1600 square feet of mat space, 2 change rooms, 2 bathrooms and a shower facility.

We are a martial arts academy dedicated to providing high-quality training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and self-defense. Our instructors are highly experienced and dedicated to helping their students learn and progress in the art. We offer classes for beginners, intermediates and advanced practitioners so that everyone can reach their full potential. No matter your level of experience or ambitions, we have something to offer.

In our classes, we go beyond just teaching techniques and emphasize the importance of proper physical conditioning and nutrition. Our approach is based on a well-rounded mindset, with the aim of helping you become the best possible version of yourself.

We also believe in the power of community.

Our academy is a place of belonging and mutual support, a sanctuary from everyday problems and worries. We know that being part of a team is important, and we strive to create an environment of trust and camaraderie.