Kai Norville

WHAT BELT ARE YOU?:
White belt 4 stripes.

WHAT PREMIER BJJ ACADEMY DO YOU TRAIN AT?
Harrow.

WHAT YEAR DID YOU START TRAINING?
2018 till I broke my ankle (not in jiu jitsu ) came back start of 2019.

WHY DID YOU START JIU JITSU?
Because I am worried my son might actually strangle me he is a grey and white belt.

GI OR NO GI?
Gi.

FAVOURITE SUBMISSION & WHY?
Chokes using the lapel because I have a high % rate using them.

FAVOURITE GUARD?
Closed/open/ and recently lasso depends on my mood.

PROUDEST JIU JITSU MOMENT?
Watching my son get his new belt.

WHAT HAS PREMIER BJJ TAUGHT YOU OUTSIDE THE DOJO?
Never judge a book by it's cover and always be humble.

TELL US SOMETHING PEOPLE AT PREMIER MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU!
My better half competes in bikini competitions and was Midland Champion in 2016.

'Judo' Jo Crowley

What belt are you?
white

What Premier academy do you train at? 
Premier BJJ Harrow 

When did you start Jiu Jitsu?
I started in 2016, but had to stop after a year due to injury. 

Why did you start Jiu Jitsu?
I’m a judo coach and wanted to have a better ne-waza game. I also like the idea of being a more rounded grappler and BJJ was the obvious next step. One of my judo parents, a BJJ black belt helped me get started. 

Gi or No Gi?
I have started with gi as it’s where I’m most comfortable but I would like to learn both. I did a little no-gi back in 2016 too.

Favourite Submission & why?
Triangle from turtle and a Brabo, the latter because it was a technique I was taught very well at the beginning of my BJJ days and it has stuck. 

Preferred Guard?
As yet I have no usable guard!! I would like to get to grips with spider guard.

Proudest Jiu Jitsu Moment?
Pending

What has Jiu-Jitsu taught you outside of the Dojo?
Resilience, respect and continued humility. There is always someone stronger and more skilled, just keep working at it. It’s a privilege to wear a white belt again. 

Tell us something people at Premier might not know about you!
4 children, 4 degrees, 4 decades and 4 dans! I like even numbers!

Brendan Molloy

What Belt are you?
Purple

What Premier academy do you train at?
Premier BJJ Harrow

When did you start Jiu Jitsu?
Summer 2016

Why did you start Jiu Jitsu?
I moved to West London from Essex. My closest group of friends growing up were those I trained martial arts with. I felt martial arts was a great way to meet new people in the area. I initially started MMA classes with Sean and soon realised I loved Premier's effective grappling style!

Gi or No Gi?
I believe it's called Catch Wrestling!

Favourite Submission & why?
Toe hold (or the footmura as I like to call it) . I think it is a great example of what jujitsu is all about. It's a simple technique that targets 5% of the body to incapacitate an opponent regardless of their size or strength. It can be applied by anyone and often from a seemingly inferior position.

Preferred Guard?
You don't get to Valhalla by pulling guard! (closed )

Proudest Jiu Jitsu Moment?
Achieving a blue belt. When you first start it seems almost impossible to imagine reaching that level. However, consistent training and fighting through periods of adversity will get you there.

What has Jiu-Jitsu taught you outside of the Dojo?
The need for self reflection. It's important to analyse your strengths and weaknesses. Be realistic about what works well and what needs to be improved. If you take that approach to other areas of your life I believe you'll find success.

Tell us something people at Premier might not know about you!
I'm the bassist in the band Kimura!

Greg Budzik

What Belt are you?
White Belt

What Premier academy do you train at?
Premier Bjj Harrow

When did you start Jiu Jitsu?
January 2018 TKO Team Kolski
August 2018 Premier Bjj Harrow

Why did you start Jiu Jitsu?
One of the New Years resolutions to start loosing weight

Gi or No Gi?
Gi

Favourite Submission & why?
The Rear Naked Choke is the single most important submission in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that why for me is the definitive way to end a fight.

Preferred Guard?
Butterfly Guard

Proudest Jiu Jitsu Moment?
Gold medal at the bjj competition in 2018 after only three months of training. I am also very proud to be able to help train children

What has Jiu-Jitsu taught you outside of the Dojo?
I train bjj together with my daughter and it helps me in life to show her that the old man can also train which helps me motivate her to work hard

Tell us something people at Premier might not know about you!
Environmental Manager for the City of London council

Nilesh Hirani

What belt are you?
purple

What Premier academy do you train at?
Premier BJJ Harrow

When did you start Jiu Jitsu?
My Jiujitsu journey started at Premier in 2016

Why did you start Jiu Jitsu?
I'm a huge fan of MMA and have been for many years. Having done various martial arts over the years, the longest being Muay Thai (7 years), I did a couple of years of MMA, and soon realised where my weakness lay... the ground!! I don't like having weaknesses, and always strive to work on those areas and better myself, a few lessons in and I was hooked!!!!

Gi or No Gi?
My Jiujitsu journey started with no-gi but now I'm all about the Gi baby!! Saying that, I still try and train both where I can, as both have their pros and cons, and I feel they both complement each other to make your overall Jiujitsu game stronger.

Favourite Submission & why?
Chokes chokes chokes!! Loop choke being my go to, as it can be caught from almost any position, aside from that I am partial to a lovely bow and arrow too

Preferred Guard?
Open guard for me, more so recently, mainly due to struggling with other people's in the past, this has pushed me develop and work on my own, where I'm now very comfortable

Proudest Jiu Jitsu Moment?
After 6 months off the mats due to a complete PCL tear, coming back to training, then doing my first competition at Blue belt within a couple of months of my return to take silver at London Pro Nationals

What has Jiu-Jitsu taught you outside of the Dojo?
I've always been a health and fitness freak, my lifestyle has revolved around training of some form, but since starting Jiujitsu, I would say Jiujitsu has taught me to have better control over my patience and my temperament, these 2 qualities are just as important on the mat as they are in life.

Tell us something people at Premier might not know about you!
Hmmm, the thing with Jiujitsu is, you really do become a family with your coaches, training partners and friends, so there isn't much that we don't share or they don't already know!
Saying that, my career path has been abit of a mix... I studied I.T through to uni, worked in retail (15 years), moved over to TFL call centre, move into Engineering side of TFL, now a qualified and work as a Railway Signals Technical as well as a Personal Trainer.

Dan Peters

What Belt are you?
Blue

What Premier BJJ academy do you train at?
Harrow BJJ

When did you start Jiu Jitsu?
2016

Why did you start Jiu Jitsu?
I first got my little girl to try the Premier Little Dragons and she loved it. The guys at the Academy said I should try a class and I picked BJJ because I didn't know what it was and fancied giving something different a go. I fell in love from my first trial and have been obsessed ever since.

Gi or No Gi?
I practice enough gi to make sure I can defend against gi guys but my heart is nogi all the way. I really love the premier Catch Wrestling aspect too, gives us an edge over strict BJJ guys.

Favourite Submission & why?
gi - Armbar from the guard and nogi inside Heel Hook. Both these submissions are ones I worked for months and months trying to catch. Every round of every sparring session was spent trying to make them work for me and now that I put all that hard work in they are the best, highest percentage moves in my repertoire.

Preferred Guard?
Halfguard with a knee shield (z-guard). I used to find myself stuck in halfguard just to survive against bigger opponents but adding the knee shield has allowed me to turn it into my best offensive guard.

Proudest Jiu Jitsu Moment?
Competing at my very first competition. I never thought I'd have the confidence to compete in such a physical sport but being a part of this team gave me that drive to better myself. I didn't win a single match at that very first one but I went down with a bunch of friends from Premier and had the best time being part of the team. I went on to have my hand raised and won medals after but never would have gotten there without taking the plunge with my friends at that first one.

What has Jiu-Jitsu taught you outside of the Dojo?
I was never a confident guy. I was terrified of confrontation, unsure of myself and found it difficult in social situations. Premier BJJ has completely changed that side of me. Some people might even say I have to much confidence now hahaha. Jiu Jitsu is incredibly humbling inside of the gym but outside it gives you the power to know that you are in control of whatever situation you find yourself in.

Tell us something people at the club might not know about you!
I'm a musician in a punk rock band and a music journalist in my spare time. I even managed to find some like minded musical friends at the club and we've started a brand new band together.

Holly Foran

WHAT BELT ARE YOU?
Yellow/White Junior Belt

WHAT PREMIER BJJ ACADEMY DO YOU TRAIN AT?
Premier BJJ Harrow

WHAT YEAR DID YOU START TRAINING?
2018

WHY DID YOU START JIU JITSU?
As a confidence builder

GI OR NO GI?
Gi

FAVOURITE SUBMISSION & WHY?
Arm bars, they’re satisfying

FAVOURITE GUARD?
Spider Guard

PROUDEST JIU JITSU MOMENT?
Over coming my fears and winning gold my first comp an against two boys and winning gold at an intermediate Judo comp using Jiu JItsu

WHAT HAS PREMIER BJJ TAUGHT YOU OUTSIDE THE DOJO?
Premier BJJ helps me overcome confidence issues, i’ve learned to deal with difficult situations and also helps keep me focused on positive things when there is negativity at school or social media.

TELL US SOMTHING PEOPLE AT PREMIER MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU!
I love art - Drawing and painting!

INSTAGRAM
@hollyforanbjj

Izi Hassan

What Belt are you?
White 

What Premier academy do you train at?
Premier BJJ Harrow 

When did you start Jiu Jitsu?
2018

Why did you start Jiu Jitsu? 
I’ve always loved combat sport and bjj from young but just never got round to it. I introduced my nephew to bjj a couple of years back and he got promoted to blue belt and that gave me motivation 

Gi or No Gi?
can’t decide lol. 

Favourite Submission & why?
Rear naked choke. Something about chokes from the back that excites me 

Preferred Guard?
half guard 

Proudest Jiu Jitsu Moment?
getting two stripes at once 

What has Jiu-Jitsu taught you outside of the Dojo?
- respect, being humble and kind to everyone around you

Tell us something about yourself people at Premier would know
I’m older than I look 🤣🤣

Joe Smith

WHAT BELT ARE YOU?
Blue belt

WHAT PREMIER BJJ ACADEMY DO YOU TRAIN AT?
Premier BJJ Harrow

WHAT YEAR DID YOU START TRAINING?
2016

WHY DID YOU START JIU JITSU?
Used to train Tae Kwon Do, was interested in grappling started at Premier BJJ and never looked back

GI OR NO GI?
Gi

FAVOURITE SUBMISSION & WHY?
Bow and Arrow, It’s my favourite as it’s very high percentage for myself when I have back control

FAVOURITE GUARD?
De la riva

PROUDEST JIU JITSU MOMENT?
Receiving my blue belt, also representing Premier BJJ in completion.

WHAT HAS PREMIER BJJ TAUGHT YOU OUTSIDE THE DOJO?
It taught me that, sometimes you have to go with the flow, problems and mishaps may occur but you just need to stay cool and calm, then adjust and carry on.

TELL US SOMETHING PEOPLE AT PREMIER MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU!
I’m a ski instructor currently living in Canada! (But missing Premier BJJ a lot!)

Anaya and Pyaashi Hirani

What Belt are you?
Grey / White

What Premier academy do you train at?
Premier BJJ Harrow

When did you start Jiu Jitsu?
Jan 2018

Why did you start Jiu Jitsu?
Our dad made us, and now we're so glad he did, we love it just as much as he does

Gi or No Gi?
Gi, but we practice abit of No-Gi at home with our dad

Favourite Submission & why?
Anaya: armbar, I get this quite often even if they defend
Pyaashi: Cross collar, I usually get this from the mount and from my guard

Preferred Guard?
Closed guard for us both, as we're still learning other types of guard

Proudest Jiu Jitsu Moment?
Anaya: recieving my grey belt and 'most improved female' trophy from our coach
Pyaashi: recieving my grey belt from our coach

What has Jiu-Jitsu taught you outside of the Dojo?
Anaya: respect others, discipline because as long as you work hard you can achieve anything
Pyaashi: Jiujitsu has helped me with my confidence so much, I'm happier at school because of Jiujitsu

Tell us something people at the club might not know about you!
Anaya: I'm a junior kickboxing Black Belt under Premier Kickboxing Ruislip, I love art and I love to experiment with women's hairstyles in my spare time.
Pyaashi: I'm the opposite of my sister, I like cars, watching action films, building things, I'm more like my dad!

Rob Groves

WHAT BELT ARE YOU?
White belt 2 stripes

WHAT PREMIER BJJ ACADEMY DO YOU TRAIN AT?
Premier BJJ Ruislip 

WHAT YEAR DID YOU START TRAINING?
2018

WHY DID YOU START JIU JITSU?
Being a fan of ufc and seeing it used by many of my favourite fighters.

GI OR NO GI?
Gi

FAVOURITE SUBMISSION AND WHY?
Ezekiel as I have a lot of success with it. 

FAVOURITE GUARD?
Butterfly guard

PROUDEST JIU JITSU MOMENT?
Meeting the goat Roger Gracie at Premier Harrow or gaining my first stripe was nice. 

WHAT HAS PREMIER BJJ TAUGHT YOU OUTSIDE THE DOJO?
It has taught me to be more relaxed when there's confrontation. 

TELL US SOMETHING PEOPLE AT PREMIER MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I don't know lol there is probably a lot

Christopher Hayes

WHAT BELT ARE YOU?
White belt (2 stripe )

WHAT PREMIER ACADEMY DO YOU TRAIN AT?
Newton abbott 

WHAT YEAR DID YOU START TRAINING?
2019

WHY DID YOU START JIUJITSU?
Professor Sam sheriff (REORG JUJITSU FOUNDATION) suggested it to me after a chance meeting on the street and we spoke about my deteriorating mental health since leaving the marines via medical discharge for mental health issues. He recommend Premier BJJ and professor Mcdowell from the very start, I started my first class that week and it’s been ‘doubles’ ever since. 

GI OR NO GI?
No gi!

FAVOURITE SUBMISSION AND WHY?
Triangle. It just always seems to work out for me! Especially when someone stacks to defend! I love to bump my hips, roll them over and get a high mount triangle

FAVOURITE GUARD?
Closed! 

PROUDEST JIU JITSU MOMENT?
Coming up to 1 year in martial arts and competing (by this weekend) 4x in nogi and MMA. I set myself a goal of 1 competition to show my myself that complex ptsd and depression etc is nothing to sit around for, you have to really actively hunt your best self down in those situations where you’re low and just be relentless in that pursuit.

WHAT HAS PREMIER BJJ TAUGHT YOU OUTSIDE THE DOJO?
That if you don’t put the hard work in no one else will. You can’t sit and lament not making weight or losing a round because you were lazy, be honest with yourself! It’s made me really good at smashing my deadlines in my small business, there are no excuses anymore.. it’s fail or succeed!  

TELL US SOMETHING PEOPLE AT PREMIER MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU?
My first tattoo was a black emo heart with bright pink ultra violet reactive paint 😂

Rachael Ariacutty

WHAT BELT ARE YOU?
White belt-2stripes

WHAT PREMIER BJJ ACADEMY DO YOU TRAIN AT?
Premier BJJ Harrow 

WHAT YEAR DID YOU START TRAINING?
2018..got injured and came back 2019

WHY DID YOU START JIU JITSU?
I wanted to try something new, loose weight and be able to defend myself safely should I ever need to. 

GI OR NO GI?
I’m currently doing Gi, and would like to try the no Gi

FAVOURITE SUBMISSION & WHY?
bow and arrow....because applied correctly, it’s a quick submission. 

FAVOURITE GUARD?
I like the spider guard, because of the control you have if used correctly 

PROUDEST JIU JITSU MOMENT?
Gaining my second stripe, as in my head I hadn’t event it....so to have that recognition means a lot

WHAT HAS PREMIER BJJ TAUGHT YOU OUTSIDE THE DOJO?
Jiu jitsu has taught me to develop my self control...because it’s like a game of chess...so rather than now....you need to think 3-4steps ahead. 

TELL US SOMETHING PEOPLE AT PREMIER MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I have a black belt in Kickboxing, and a silver medal from National Championships 2006.

“Golden” Graham Bright

WHAT BELT ARE YOU?
Purple

WHAT PREMIER BJJ ACADEMY DO YOU TRAIN AT?
Premier BJJ Harrow - Began my Journey with Premier. Home grown !

WHAT YEAR DID YOU START JIU JITSU?
Started BJJ in the Gi September 2016 but did do a bit of nogi prior to that. 2016 was when I got hooked.

WHY DID YOU START JIU JITSU?
Don’t know really, I always enjoyed martial arts and had dabbled at various things. Was doing kickboxing and MMA at Premier and decided to by a Gi and give it a go. Now I don’t do anything else.

GI OR NO GI?
Gi

FAVOURITE SUBMISSION & WHY?
I like chokes and especially chokes with a lot of control. Brabo, paper/bread cutter and clock chokes are my go to. You can feel their lives ebbing away with these chokes hahaha

FAVOURITE GUARD?
I’m an open guard player for the most part. But I’m still trying to work this out myself tbh.

PROUDEST JIU JITSU MOMENT?
I’m proud of my gold medals and really proud to have been given my Blue Belt by the godfather - Mauricio Gomes

WHAT HAS PREMIER BJJ TOUGHT YOU OUTSIDE THE DOJO?
too much to mention. I live a much healthier lifestyle in general and I no longer EVER judge a book by its cover. Those are two key changes. And I could talk all day about friends and relationships I have gained. It’s truly amazing.

TELL US SOMETHING PEOPLE AT PREMIER MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I don’t think there is much that people at the gym don’t know - I’m gobby, chatty and I’ve told them everything. I like Jiu jitsu, most sports and beer. The simple life

INSTAGRAM
@goldengrahambright

Natasha Barlow

WHAT BELT ARE YOU?
White belt

WHAT PREMIER BJJ ACADEMY DO YOU TRAIN AT?
premier Newton Abbot Devon

WHAT YEAR DID YOU START TRAINING?
2019

WHY DID YOU START JIU JITSU?
Always wanted to try Jiu Jitsu and newton club is local to me.

GI OR NO GI?
Gi.

FAVOURITE SUBMISSION & WHY?
Any, If I get one it's a good day.

FAVOURITE GUARD?
Half guard.

PROUDEST JIU JITSU MOMENT?
Receiving my first stripe from my teacher Stuart and of course my first competition.

WHAT HAS PREMIER BJJ TAUGHT YOU OUTSIDE THE DOJO?
That life moves on, to take on new challenges and its ok to fail as long as you learn.

TELL US SOMTHING PEOPLE AT PREMIER MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU!
I love reading and watching the cycling.

INSTAGRAM
@natashabarlow

Dean Gray

WHAT BELT ARE YOU?:
Blue belt

WHAT PREMIER BJJ ACADEMY DO YOU TRAIN AT?
Premier BJJ Harrow

WHAT YEAR DID YOU START TRAINING?
2013

WHY DID YOU START JIU JITSU?
Started for weight loss I was 114kg and an interest in MMA

GI OR NO GI?
Gi

FAVOURITE SUBMISSION & WHY?
Kimura, because I like the control that you have before the sub

FAVOURITE GUARD?
Half guard

PROUDEST JIU JITSU MOMENT?
Wearing the home colours in competition's, no better feeling no matter what the outcome.

WHAT HAS PREMIER BJJ TAUGHT YOU OUTSIDE THE DOJO?
Juijitsu has tough me control in every sense of the word, my favourite line of all, being comfortable in uncomfortable positions. This is so transferable to every aspect of life.

TELL US SOMETHING PEOPLE AT PREMIER MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU!
I run a company called Peerwood Electrical ( like my page )

INSTAGRAM
@0deangray0