Head Coach: Dave Coles MSc - BA (Hons) - PGCE
BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU
2nd degree Black Belt awarded by Braulio Estima November 2016
3rd degree Black Belt recognised by IBJJF August 2020
Dave has trained and competed in Brazil and America on may occasions, a list of some of his accomplishments in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu can be seen below.
2009 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu CBJJ International Masters & Seniors Brown Belt Senior 3. Absolute Champion.
2009 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu CBJJ International Masters & Seniors Brown Belt Senior 3. Super Pesado Champion.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Braulio Estima Brown Belt (November 2006)
2006 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. CBJJ International Masters & Seniors Purple Belt Senior 2 Absolute, Silver.
2005 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. CBJJ International Masters & Seniors Purple Belt Senior 2 Pesado Champion
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Braulio Estima Purple Belt (October 2004)
2004 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. CBJJ International Masters & Seniors Blue Belt Senior 2 Pesado Champion
2004 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. CBJJ International Masters & Seniors Blue Belt Senior 2 Absolute Champion
2004 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. CBJJ Mundials Competitor (Blue Belt) (W2 L1)
2004 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. European Champion (Blue Belt)
2003 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. European Champion (Blue Belt)
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Mauricio Gomes Blue Belt (March 2003)
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Royce Gracie Blue Belt (Feb 2003)
2003 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Pan American Champion (Blue Belt)
2003 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. CBJJ Mundials Competitor (Blue Belt)
2002 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. UK Open Silver Medallist (Blue Belt)
JUDO
World Masters Champion, British Masters Champion and Welsh Closed Champion are a few of the many titles won by Dave in a Judo career spanning over three decades.
A British Judo Association (BJA) Black Belt 5th Dan, Dave has competed in hundreds of Judo events in Canada, America, and throughout Europe.
5th Dan Black Belt (British Judo Association)
2001 World Masters Judo Bronze medallist
1999 World Masters Judo Champion
1998 British Masters Judo Champion
1998 Welsh Senior Closed Judo Champion
MIXED MARTIAL ARTS
Dave had 17 amateur MMA fights on the Grapple & Strike and Combat Sports Open Trails shows.
He has a record of 9 Wins, 4 Draws and 4 Losses and in 2005 he was crowned The Welsh Grapple & Strike light-heavyweight Champion. His fight record can be seen below.
IBJJF REFEREE
Dave has refereed at all of the major BJJ events in the UK. He has attended the IBJJF referee course on nine occasions and in 2012 he passed the practical referee assessment under the IBJJF Head Referee Alvaro Mansor.
He refereed at the 2012 and 2013 IBJJF European Championships, the 2012 IBJJF European NoGi Championships and the 2012 IBJJF London Open.
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
Dave has a Masters Degree in Sport and Exercise Science and a BA Honours Degree in Sport and Human Movement Studies from The University of Wales Institute Cardiff (now Cardiff Metropolitan University). He also has a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) from The University of Wales Newport.
In a 15 year teaching career, Dave taught at further and higher education level, specialising in the delivery of Sports Science, Physical Education and Outdoor Activities.
Dave quit his teaching job in 2011 in order to concentrate on developing The Combat Academy.
MISCELLANEOUS
Dave has also held national titles in other martial arts. He was the National Ju Jutsu Kumite Council British Champion in 2001 and 2002, and in 2002 he was the ECKA National semi-contact Masters Open Kyu Grade Champion.
Dave has twice been recognised by Herefordshire Sports Council, winning the 1992 'Service to Sport' Award and the 1999 'Sportsman of the Year Award.
