27/04/2026
Grassroots grows champions
8 weeks to go 🇵🇭 Asia Oceania Sambo Championships 2026
We made the trip out to Whaingaroa BJJ this week, and it’s exactly what martial arts should feel like.
We worked positional drills and spent time sharpening the ground game, with Hamish (23, Judo black belt) really starting to find his rhythm in newaza.
What makes his journey special isn’t just his ability, it’s who he is.
He’s the guy who coaches others before competing himself. The guy who still shows up for our Kimura Kiwis community class in the middle of a high performance camp (yep, that’s the rashie in the photo).
But growth at this level asks a different question:
can you give that same energy to your own development?
That’s the path he’s on now.
One of the best parts of the day, Phil and Mark reconnecting from the early days of BJJ in Hamilton. A reminder that this community runs deep.
At Hamilton Sambo, we’re proud to work with clubs, not against them. Judo, BJJ, wrestling, we know athletes get better when communities connect, not compete.
As we build toward Manila, we’re opening the door for athletes who want to be part of the process.
If you’ve got a background in wrestling (even rugby), submission grappling, or just bring a different “look” to training, you’re welcome to jump in. You’ll train at your own pace, add real value to camp, and help sharpen our athletes for international competition.
In return, you become part of the journey, seeing first-hand what it takes at this level, and having a stake in the performance when we step onto the world stage.
Manila is on the horizon, and the work continues.