Founder of The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy and Co-founder of the British Army Jiu Jitsu Team
Mark Badham who is currently serving in the British Army with over 24 years of Service, started training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2011. Recognising the importance of learning from the best, Mark ventured to the birthplace Brazil, where he had the privilege of training with the great Ricardo De La Riva and Fernando "Tererê" Augusto, revered figures in the realm of Jiu Jitsu. During his time in Brazil Mark competed in the Rio Open as a White Belt, showcasing his newfound skills and advancing to the quarter-finals.
Back in the UK Mark Badham co-established the Army Jiu Jitsu team to extend training benefits to Soldiers across the UK. Despite initial obstacles due to lack of recognition, Mark alongside others from different Services, successfully lobbied for Jiu Jitsu to be officially recognised within the UK Armed Forces in 2015, marking a significant achievement.
Since then Mark Has received his Black Belt and has founded his second gym The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy in hopes of giving the local people of Market Drayton and surrounding areas the chance to learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as it has had such a massive impact on his own life.
REORG founded by Sam Sherif MBE, is a charitable organisation dedicated to supporting individuals grappling with a spectrum of profound physical injuries, along with those battling post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Through the transformative power of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, REORG extends a lifeline to military, police, and emergency services personnel, harnessing both the mental and physical benefits of the martial art to aid in their recovery and rehabilitation journey.