A black belt under Professor Max Carvalho. A black belt with European and World podiums across BJJ, grappling and judo. A Latvian wrestling champion. A Polish brown belt with European podiums. And coaches who came up through this very mat. The IJS team isn't a roster — it's a syllabus, taught by people who chose this life.
"You don't teach Jiu-Jitsu. You teach a person — and Jiu-Jitsu is what they end up holding when you're done."
ZR Team black belt under Professor Max Carvalho. Multiple-time Ukrainian national champion, European Championship medalist, and holder of a Master's degree in Physical Education. He sets the curriculum, certifies the coaches, and runs the room. If your child trains at IJS, they train under Vitalii.
"There are no shortcuts in this sport. You can either earn the position, or pay for it later."
Black belt with two decades on the mat. Multiple European and World podiums across BJJ, grappling and judo. Leads the IJS Adults Program — beginner track and advanced rolling — with international standards and direct feedback.
"Position before submission. Pressure before position. Patience before pressure."
Active brown belt competitor on the European IBJJF and AJP circuit. Brings a precise top-pressure passing system and runs technique blocks and competition-prep sparring in the Adults Program — the coach who catches the corner you were cutting on rep eight.
"The fight starts on your feet. So that's where we start the lesson."
Latvian national champion in freestyle wrestling and boxing. Won Adult Gi and No-Gi at the BJJ Paphos Open 2025. Certified personal trainer, and the lead Stand-Up coach for kids and beginners — the people who need solid takedown and movement fundamentals most.
"I had patient coaches when I was eight. Now it's my turn."
A graduate of the IJS Junior Program — came up through every belt at this school. Active competitor on the Cyprus and regional circuit. Assists with kids and junior classes — recent enough to remember what every step felt like, which is exactly why he's so good with young students.
"For kids, it's the confidence — but really it's the resilience. The 'I won't give up just because it's hard' mentality, built early."
Adam is the most experienced children's coach on the team — just not in Jiu-Jitsu. He started coaching at 16 with Colchester United's youth football setup in England, working with kids from 4 to 16. A Sport & Exercise Science degree and years as a personal trainer followed, specialising in behaviour change — helping people build habits that actually last. He moved to Cyprus with his family in 2019, found BJJ in 2023, and joined IJS in 2024. A husband and dad of three — two of whom train here — you'll find him in the Kids 4–7 and 6–9 classes and on Saturday Open Mat. What he brings to the mat isn't a competition record; it's two decades of knowing how to teach a child to keep going.
Every coach at IJS — from black belt to assistant — clears the same internal certification before they teach a class. We don't borrow the "head coach is great, the others are fine" model. Every coach in this room has to be one we'd put in front of our own kids.
In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the chain of who-taught-who is the closest thing the sport has to a ranking system. Vitalii's black belt comes from one of the most respected lineages in the world — the same one that connects directly back to the Gracie family that founded BJJ.
Send a quick WhatsApp — we'll match you to the right class, confirm a time, and have a gi waiting at the door. No forms, no commitment, no fuss.