Sensei Sam

16/06/2026

National Gradings: report incoming

15/06/2026

15/06/2026

The Day of Reckoning: National Adult Gradings

Tomorrow is the day. Months of blood, sweat, and relentless dedication all come down to this.
Tomorrow, our students step onto the Honbu mat for the National Adult Gradings.

Let’s be completely honest: it is going to be a brutal, grueling day. Anyone who has ever graded within Ishin Ryu Ju Jitsu knows firsthand that nothing is given away.

Standards are fiercely maintained, and you have to dig incredibly deep to earn your next rank.

On the grading panel will be Soke Kevin Pell – Founder & Chief Instructor of Ishin Ryu Ju Jitsu and Sensei Sam Gladdy – National Coach for Adults

With that level of experience and scrutiny watching your every move, there is nowhere to hide. Every technique, every transition, and every ounce of your spirit will be tested.

But remember this when the fatigue sets in and your lungs are burning: in the end, it will all be worth it. The harder the struggle, the greater the triumph. Trust in your training, leave everything on the mat, and show the panel what you are made of.

We want to wish every single student the very best of luck tomorrow. Walk onto that mat with focus and unstoppable determination.

09/06/2026

02/06/2026

Bring a stick to a fist fight

01/06/2026

If he's charging in, send him flying

31/05/2026

Ten years ago today, in this very place, I was honoured to receive my black belt from Soke Kevin Pell.

Ten years on, we're still growing, still learning, and still going from strength to strength.

This weekend was spent on the mats at a grappling seminar with the one and only Joao Santos of Gracie Lisboa.

A decade of learning, friendships, challenges, and progress. Roll on the next ten.

19/05/2026

Saturday 30th May – Sunday 31st May 2026
10.30 p.m. – 5.00. p.m. (Day 1)
10.30 p.m. – 4.00. p.m. (Day 2)

ISHIN RYU JU JITSU aims to bring the martial arts communities together in an exciting two-day event with highly sought-after GRACIE JIU-JITSU INSTRUCTOR and MULTI-INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP WINNER

JOAO SANTOS SENSEI
GRACIE JIU-JITSU LISBON

João Santos began his career in Japanese Jiu-Jitsu, a modality of which he became an instructor.

In 1996, he took his first Gracie Jiu-Jitsu class with Odir Torres and, in 1999, he began training with Robin Gracie, in Barcelona. Since then, he has become a student of the Gracie family. In 2006, when he was already a purple belt, he was invited by Robin Gracie to open the first branch of the academy outside of Spain.

João Santos began his competitive career in 2001 and has been active in the world of competition to this day. Since then, he has won several titles in the sport, becoming a highly sought-after instructor for classes and seminars both in Portugal and abroad, and even for teaching Jiu-Jitsu to practitioners of other sports.

Accolades:
6 x BJJ European Champion.
2 x BJJ Pan American Champion.
BJJ National Champion.
2 x BJJ Spanish Champion.
BJJ Master World Champion 2004.
BJJ Brazilian Champion 2003
Gracie BJJ European Cup Champion 2001.
4 x Olympic Freestyle Wrestling Team National Champion.
Black Belt 4th Dan (Ishin Ryu Ju Jitsu – Kevin Pell Hanshi).


What to expect:
2 days of world-class instruction with a BJJ master.
Focus on grappling for self-defence.
An opportunity to test out your skills in a tournament with proceeds going to Dereham Cancer Care.
Option to join us for a Saturday evening BBQ celebration at our local pub.
Open to members and non-members.
Suitable for beginners.
Location:
Ishin Ryu Ju Jitsu Headquarters,

The Old Bakery, Caston, Norfolk, NR17 1DD

Off-street parking.

Limited Spaces
This will be a popular event and spaces will fill up fast.

Don’t miss your chance to train with one of the best in the game at our purpose built traditional Japanese Dojo in Norfolk.

TO RESERVE YOUR PLACE, EMAIL [email protected]