WāhiBJJ

With Lucas Maziero quiroprata – I just got recognised as one of their top fans! 🎉

Kia Ora NZ! Competition is a great way to learn. Every fight teaches you something and helps you improve.

Very proud of everyone who stepped on the mats and represented WāhiBJJ today.

A big thank you to Ashhurst Martial Arts Club for putting on a great event. I wish you guys all the best of luck and success!

OSS!
Wahib

Kia Ora NZ!

THE BJJ BELT JOURNEY

⚪ White Belt — Survival
Learn to move, defend, breathe, and stay calm.

🔵 Blue Belt — Fundamentals
Build a strong base and understand the core positions.

🟣 Purple Belt — Combinations
Connect techniques, create reactions, and develop your own game.

🟤 Brown Belt — Pressure
Improve timing, control, details, and efficiency.

⚫ Black Belt — Efficiency
Less wasted movement. Better timing. Better decisions.

Every belt is a new stage of learning.

Respect the process. Stay humble. Keep learning. Enjoy the journey.

Kia Ora NZ! The New Zealand Jiu-Jitsu community is in mourning.

Professor Damian Smith, 3rd Degree Black Belt and founder and leader of GracieAllegianceNZ , has sadly passed away.

On the few occasions I had the privilege of meeting Damian, he always showed himself to be a true enthusiast of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a passion he clearly passed on to his children.

I remember once apologising to Damian because I did not have enough athletes available to provide suitable matches for his children at competitions. He simply replied: “No problem, brother, this is all just training for their black belts. You can put anyone against them.”

Those words stayed with me forever. Since that day, I have used the same phrase with my own children and friends. It perfectly reflected his mindset, his confidence in the journey, and his understanding that Jiu-Jitsu is about much more than winning medals.

Damian was more than a Jiu-Jitsu professor. He was a husband, a father, a mentor, and an important part of our community.

Today, we send our deepest condolences, love, and positive thoughts to his family, students, friends, and everyone at Gracie Allegiance New Zealand.

May God comfort your hearts during this incredibly difficult time.

May Professor Damian now rest in peace and join the great names in Jiu-Jitsu history who have gone before us.

Rest in peace, Professor Damian Smith.

OSS.
WāhiBJJ Team

Kia Ora NZ! Some journeys begin in our academy, but their impact reaches far beyond it.

A huge congratulations to our Professor Matt Ball on an outstanding performance at the Welsh Pro Grappling Championship! 🇬🇧

After five tough 5-minute matches, he brought home:
🥇 Gold in his age & weight division
🥉 Bronze in the Absolute Black Belt division

Results like these aren’t just about medals, they’re built on years of discipline, consistency, and the willingness to test yourself against the best.

We’re incredibly proud to have you representing WahiBJJ on the international stage.

Congratulations, Matt! OSS!