Mark has been training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for nearly two decades, beginning in Toronto in 2008 under Jorge Britto at Toronto BJJ. He earned his blue belt there and achieved podium finishes in multiple tournaments as both a white and blue belt.

After returning to New Zealand, Mark trained under Pedro Fernandes at Tukaha, earning his purple belt. Over the following years, work and travel overseas gave him the opportunity to train at a variety of gyms, gaining experience with different coaching styles and training methods.

Back in New Zealand, Mark spent more than four years training at City Kickboxing before joining Tsukami, where he earned his brown belt.

With years of experience across a range of academies and coaching styles, Mark is passionate about helping students build strong fundamentals, improve their technique, and enjoy their Jiu-Jitsu journey.

Andrew has been training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for over 10 years. He began his journey under Vanderson Pires and Brian Morris at Combat Room in Wellington before relocating to Berlin in 2019. There, he continued his training at Fenriz MMA under Felipe Cançado.

After returning to New Zealand, Andrew settled back in Tamaki (Auckland) and joined Tukaha, where he has trained under Pedro Fernandes for the past six years. During his time at Tukaha, he earned both his purple and brown belts.

While Andrew has competed throughout his training, what he values most is consistency. He believes that staying on the mats is one of the greatest challenges in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Injuries, work, and life can all make training difficult, but those who remain committed are rewarded with steady progress and personal growth.

Andrew has been coaching at Tsukami since the club was established and finds teaching to be one of the most rewarding parts of his journey. Coaching has deepened his understanding of the art, continually motivating him to expand his knowledge, refine his skills, and help others develop confidence and enjoyment in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.