True Grips Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

🥋 LEGENDS OF THE GI 🥋

Yesterday we had the privilege of learning from two men with an extraordinary depth of knowledge and experience, 5th-degree Gordo BJJ black belt Ben Poppleton and coral-belt judoka Steve Gawthorpe.

The focus was Ude-Gatame: breaking down the mechanics and underlying principles of the armlock before exploring its different applications, both standing and on the ground.

This wasn’t simply a collection of techniques. It was a lesson in control, positioning, leverage and the small details that make a technique truly effective.

At True Grips, we’re proud to represent the Gordo Jiu-Jitsu lineage and to continually bring our students the highest quality of coaching, rooted in genuine knowledge, proven experience and strong martial arts heritage.

A brilliant seminar and plenty for us to study, practise and sharpen over the coming weeks.

Thank you to Ben and Steve for sharing the mats and their knowledge with us. 🙏🥋

Hold Fast. Stay True.

🥋 STRIPES EARNED 🥋

A proud night on the mats at True Grips on Monday, as three members of the team were recognised for their continued progress.

⚪ Jack received his first stripe on his white belt — the first milestone of his Jiu Jitsu journey.

🔵 Naffa received his third stripe on his blue belt, reflecting the experience, consistency and development he continues to show.

🟣 Our Academy Owner & Head Coach Craig received his fourth and final stripe on his purple belt — another significant step in a journey that began more than 20 years ago.

All three promotions were awarded by our black belt coach, Andy Kirk.

Stripes may be small pieces of tape, but each one represents countless hours on the mats: learning, struggling, improving and continuing to turn up.

Different belts. Different stages. The same commitment to moving forwards.

Congratulations, gentlemen — thoroughly deserved. 👏🥋

Hold Fast. Stay True. 👊

A GREAT DAY FOR TEAM TRUE GRIPS 🛡️🥇🥈

Yesterday, we travelled to Sheffield for the All Stars BJJ competition—and both of our young competitors gave us plenty to be proud of.

Athena showed tremendous courage stepping onto the competition mats for the very first time. She rose to the challenge, gained invaluable experience and returned home with a fantastic silver medal.

Reggie delivered two composed and intelligent performances to claim a thoroughly deserved gold. He finished his first opponent with an Americana from the Kesa Gatame pin, before showing excellent fight strategy to control his second match and secure the victory on points.

Competition gives our young people the opportunity to test their skills, but more importantly, it teaches them how to manage pressure, overcome nerves and believe in themselves when it matters.

The results were fantastic, but seeing Athena and Reggie represent True Grips with courage, composure and respect meant even more.

A great day, two brilliant performances and plenty of proud coaches.

Well done, Athena and Reggie. You represented True Grips superbly. 👊

People before medals.
Development before results.
Team True Grips.

WHERE COURAGE TAKES OVER 🛡️

There’s a moment at every competition when the waiting stops, the noise fades into the background, and it’s time to step forward.

The competitor walks out in front.

The coach walks beside them.

And the strength of the whole team walks with them.

This photograph of Andy accompanying Reggie and Charlie to the mats at our last competition captures exactly what youth competition at True Grips is about.

It isn’t simply about winning matches or collecting medals.

It’s about young people learning to manage their nerves, trust their preparation, face difficult challenges and discover what they’re capable of.

Today, we head back to Sheffield to coach another group of our youth team.

Whatever the results, we know they’ll represent themselves, their families and their academy with courage, humility and respect.

We’re already proud of every one of them.

People before medals.
Development before results.
Team True Grips. 👊

Hold Fast. Stay True.

Another brilliant evening on the mats.

One of the things we value most at True Grips is remembering that Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is bigger than any one individual or academy. We all represent the same art, the same traditions, and a lineage that deserves to be honoured.

It was a pleasure to have Professor Jim Kieley and members of our extended Gordo Jiu Jitsu family from Doncaster join us in Barnsley. Although we train under different roofs, we’re all part of the same team and share the same commitment to learning, improving, and helping one another grow.

A place where everyone is welcomed.
A place where egos are left at the door.
A place where beginners and experienced grapplers push one another to improve.
A place built on discipline, respect, loyalty and continuous evolution.

At True Grips, our core values remain at the heart of everything we do:

• Respect before ego.
• Humility in victory and defeat.
• Commitment to continuous improvement.
• Supporting your teammates.
• Leaving the mats better than you found them.

Every roll, every conversation and every session helps strengthen not only our academy, but our wider Gordo family.

A huge thank you to everyone who came down, trained hard, and represented the art with professionalism and respect.

Hold Fast. Stay True.

One team. One lineage. Always learning.

People before medals.

It’s a phrase Coach Poggy shared with me a while ago, and one that perfectly sums up what we’re building at True Grips.

Competition is important.

It teaches resilience.
It teaches accountability.
It teaches young people how to perform under pressure.

But the medals are never the main goal.

The person wearing them is.

This photo captures one of those moments that often goes unseen.

No crowd.
No podium.
No celebration.

Just a coach and athlete sharing a conversation between matches.

Talking tactics.
Managing emotions.
Staying focused on the next challenge.

Kayla has already achieved a great deal on the competition mats, but experience doesn’t remove pressure. Every athlete, no matter their age or level, needs someone in their corner who believes in them, guides them and helps them see the bigger picture.

Because long after the medals have been put in a drawer, the lessons remain.

The confidence built through adversity.
The ability to stay calm under pressure.
The understanding that challenges are there to be faced, not avoided.

Those are the things that last.

Those are the things that matter.

People before medals.

Always.

Hold Fast. Stay True.

“The difference that makes the difference.”

It’s a phrase I’ve used in coaching for years.

Sometimes it’s a technical adjustment.
Sometimes it’s a change in mindset.
And sometimes it’s simply the right words, from the right person, at exactly the right moment.

A few minutes before this photo was taken, this young girl’s biggest opponent wasn’t the girl she was facing across the mats, it was the voice inside her own head. The emotions were high, the tears were flowing, and in that moment she wanted to come off the mat.

Nobody would have judged her for it.

Competition is hard. Putting yourself out there takes courage, especially at such a young age.

So we talked.

Not for long. Just enough to help her slow things down, breathe, and remember what she was capable of.

Then she did something special.

She chose to continue.

That’s what makes me proud.

Not the result.
Not the medal.
Not whether her hand was raised.

The fact that she faced a difficult moment, worked through it, and kept moving forward.

At True Grips, that’s what we’re building.

The ability to stay calm under pressure.
The confidence to keep going when things get tough.
And the understanding that courage isn’t the absence of fear, it’s taking the next step despite it.

Very proud of you, Abbie.

Hold Fast. Stay True.

Last night, Andy and I had the privilege of travelling to Leeds to train at AVT MMA under one of the true pioneers of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, John Will.

For those who may not know, John Will is one of the legendary “Dirty Dozen” – the first 12 non-Brazilians ever to receive a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt. He earned his black belt and has spent decades travelling the world, teaching, learning and helping shape the growth of BJJ across multiple continents.

The seminar focused heavily on the Omoplata and its many applications in NoGi grappling. As expected from someone with John’s experience, the details, concepts and problem-solving approaches were outstanding.

At True Grips, we firmly believe that coaches should never stop being students.

Whether you’re a white belt taking your first class or a black belt with decades on the mat, there is always more to learn. One of our commitments as coaches is to continually seek out opportunities to learn from some of the best practitioners and instructors in the world so that we can bring that knowledge, experience and understanding back to our students.

Every seminar attended, every training camp visited and every lesson learned becomes part of what we teach here in Barnsley.

We are proud of our lineage, proud of our connection to the wider BJJ community and committed to giving our students access to the highest quality coaching possible.

A huge thank you to John Will for sharing his knowledge and to and the team at AVT MMA for hosting a fantastic evening.

The learning never stops.

Hold Fast. Stay True.