Toronto BJJ
, See all hours
Details
Information
Reviews
Location
Welcome to Toronto BJJ Toronto BJJ is widely considered to be the best place in Toronto for Martial Arts. Our students Have Fun, Stay Motivated, and Get Results!!!. Incredible friendly welcoming atmosphere (We are a team and a family). Awesome instructors. Huge schedule. Convenient location (TTC and available parking). more... See more text
Location
813 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M6G 1L8
Useful Information

Methods of Payment:

Meet the owner

Josh Rapport is the last person you'd expect to be a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt.

He was an overweight bookworm with a learning disability when, in December 2001, he wandered into a BJJ seminar taught by visiting black belt Wendell Alexander. “With jiu-jitsu you can make tremendous gains to your personality and overcome a lot of obstacles,” says Josh. “I felt like my body was free because it could do such cool stuff, so my self-image — being an overweight guy — changed for real and not in a cocky way, just in a way that didn't threaten anybody.”

In 2002, Josh started taking private lessons at the now defunct Karma Martial Arts in Woodbridge, Ontario from black belt Wagnney Fabiano. But when Karma's owner decided to close up shop, it put Waggney's immigration status in jeopardy. “I started Toronto BJJ to save my instructor from deportation,” says Josh.

So in 2004, with Wagnney as the head instructor and still a blue belt himself, Josh used an inheritance to open Toronto BJJ's first location on the outskirts of North York near Vaughan. The initial offering included BJJ, Muay Thai and Mixed Martial Arts — business boomed immediately. “If you came in off the street and wanted to learn mixed martial arts, but you wanted true instruction from a legitimate professional, I believe we were the first place in Toronto to offer that,” Josh says.

From 60 students they grew to over 800. The expansion led to a move to their current downtown location on Bloor Street, between Christie and Ossington, with Wagnney's brother — four-time BJJ World Cup Champion Leo Santos — lined up as head instructor.

But while they had no problem attracting top-level instructors, Josh learned it was difficult keeping them.

View more Hide

Ratings & Reviews - Toronto BJJ

Write a review
No one has rated or reviewed this business yet!
How would you rate this business?

Get an opinion about this business!

Think your friends might be familiar with this business? Ask your friends on Facebook to see what they think.

Appears in one Smart List

Editor’s Pick
Where to find stellar MMA training in Toronto

Where to find stellar MMA training in Toronto

Props where they’re due: this west-side spot is the most decorated Brazilian jiu-jitsu gym in Toronto – with the most black belts and 3,000 square feet of mat space. Toronto BJJ's familial atmosphere is perfect for the nervous beginner, but is also equipped with everything the elite fighter is looking for. With the backing of the legendary Saulo Ribeiro and his Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu Association, head instructor Jorge Britto has created a place with more BJJ team championships than any other gym in Toronto. Wheelchair Accessible: No.

View this Smart List
See more Smart Lists in Toronto »

Categories

Directories

Related Articles to Toronto BJJ
Contact this business
Close menu