05/07/2026
8 years ago, I set myself a coaching goal: to one day see AVT Youth Academy standing at the top of the podium.
This weekend, that goal became reality.
🥇 AVT Youth Academy are No-Gi Team Champions at the Elite BJJ Junior World Championships!
After narrowly missing out with 2nd place in No-Gi in 2025, it's an incredible feeling to finally take the top spot.
Our team also achieved: 🥉 3rd Place Gi 🥈 2nd Place Overall
This is the first time we've brought home a team trophy in the Gi division.
While this has been a personal coaching goal for the last eight years, achievements like this are never down to one person. They are built by an entire team. I want to say a huge thank you to all of the AVT Youth coaches, who have invested their time, knowledge, and passion into these young athletes. Every coach has played a part in this journey, and I'm grateful to have such an incredible team around me. This success belongs to all of us.
I'm also incredibly proud of every athlete and every parent who has trusted us. Success like this doesn't happen overnight—it comes from years of consistency, hard work, commitment, and believing in the process.
With one goal achieved, the next ones are already set: 🏆 1st Place Gi 🏆 1st Place Overall 🏆 Continue developing great competitors and even better people.
One of the biggest surprises of the weekend was me being presented with a coaches Viking Style appreciation trophy who TheRawWalnut. carved this amazing trophy by hand and presented it to me on behalf of the kids that I coach. I genuinely wasn't expecting it, and it meant more than I can put into words. Thank you all for your kindness, support, and trust—it was a truly special moment that I'll never forget.
To finish an unforgettable weekend, I had the privilege of promoting several students after their outstanding performances. The most amazing moment of all was awarding my eldest daughter, Blossom her Yellow/White Belt after an incredible double gold performance. Watching her grow, both as an athlete and as a person, and being able to tie that belt around her waist is something I'll treasure forever.
Thank you
