


Empower yourself with the perfect blend of self-defense, sport, and martial arts
Empower yourself with the perfect blend of self-defense, sport, and martial arts
Empower yourself with the perfect blend of self-defense, sport, and martial arts
Head Coach
Joao has over 8 years of experience as a black belt, under Luiz Ribeiro from London Fight Factory. During his journey, he has acquired a significant amount of knowledge learning from different reputable sources including several elements from the Gracie family and World renowned competitors.
The Canary Wharf Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Club focuses on providing you the best possible experience, by learning through a carefully crafted methodology in a safe and fun environment.
Sign up here for a free trial class
- Alex Haiser
Really nice environment and everyone is very supportive and friendly. A great place to train if you are starting BJJ as the classes are very structured and focused on the... read more basic fundamentals before learning to spar. Joao and the team are excellent teachers who are very patient and attentive to all members of the class!
June 14, 2023Oskar WismierskiStarted my journey with BJJ about 5 months ago and have been training with João for a month and I have learned a tone! João has a great, structured approach... read more to training with both Gi and noGi classes one after another. Can also mix it up with combatives to put it all into practice. Everyone is super friendly and great to work with.
December 14, 2022JordanI'm in the beginning of my BJJ journey and finding Canary Wharf BJJ has been great. The coaches have such amazing attention to detail, patience as well as fostering a... read more safe and exciting environment to learn. CWBJJ has a great community that I'm glad to be a part of. Would definitely recommend!
July 15, 2024 - dee Paul
I been training at CWBJJ for nearly 2 months now and I must say I absolutely love it. Training is very well planned, we get sent weekly syllabus of what... read more each class will be covering in that week. Everyone is friendly and supportive. Head coach João & all other coaches are very patient, helpful & caring. He is very dedicated to make this a great community for everyone. Having trained at difficult martial arts gyms, its hard to find a good training place with a good atmosphere but CWBJJ is the best place. I would highly recommend trying it to anyone, even if you never had done BJJ before dont worry as there fundamentals classes for beginners to help. I hope to see you on the mats 🙂
December 11, 2023ella snAmazing atmosphere, great community. Classes conducted at a high level, teachers are always professional, helpful and with outstanding sense of humour. Everyone will learn something, regardless of their level of... read more advancement. Both KIDS and ADULT classes are highly recommended. Nowhere better to start and continue your journey with BJJ (and to develop sensible life approach ;)). Thank you Joao, all coaches and participants for your hard work, commitment, patience, motivation and mostly for creating such an amazing and welcoming hub! My daughter(7yo) said: "I really love Joao because he teaches us different techniques, super stuff; he is friendly and funny but we know when to be serious and we learn a lot. We don't mess up." Me: always look at Joao!
April 15, 2024Saeeda DoolanAs a girl, it can seem intimidating to join to a BJJ Gym. However, the instructors are Canary Wharf Jiu Jitsu are great at teaching, making it fun and creating... read more a community. The culture is amazing and everyone is friendly. I’ve learnt so much within the few months and met other likeminded individuals.
July 14, 2023 - Diamantis Kalogiannidis
I started as a beginner a few months ago, I can say it's really fun, Joao is super helpful always there to drive you. Very... read more nice environment with nice people!
March 14, 2023Tim WhitingFriendly, welcoming, knowledgeable, channelling, well-organised, respectful - what more can I say? An absolute pleasure to train here.
May 27, 2025Faz DarI was nervous about trying BJJ for the first time. I needn't have been. Joao and the coaching team have created a fantastic, welcoming, inclusive and supportive culture.... read more The beginners sessions are short a d focused, there is a well structured syllabus, safety is taken seriously, and the whole club just screams quality. If you are thinking of giving it a go, I thoroughly recommend it.
May 27, 2025 - Tim L
This is a great BJJ gym. Coach João cares a lot about the development of each of his students and goes out of his way to help them. The classes... read more are well structured and there is a lot of emphasis on safety when sparring and learning new techniques. 100% recommend!
March 14, 2023J KimExcellent instructors and great mat culture. A safe, respectful and clean gym to learn BJJ. All the classes are structured and so you have a clear idea of what you... read more are going to learn each week. Classes include self defence, takedown/throws and then the focus is on BJJ techniques, with sparring at the end - so you get well rounded training. Highly recommend to anyone who wants to begin or continue their BJJ training, or just visiting by.
April 15, 2024James Borg-ClancyJoao has established a thriving community within the gym. The curriculum is thoughtfully crafted to cater to individuals of all skill levels and ages, ensuring adaptability for both beginners and... read more advanced practitioners. Following each session, I find myself thoroughly exhausted, yet I eagerly return to acquire new techniques and insights, as well as to catch up with other students. The diverse coaching styles on offer enable students to select and refine approaches that resonate with their individual preferences, fostering the cultivation of a distinctive personal style. I cannot speak highly enough of this exceptional gym!
August 25, 2024 - Deepika Bangarh
I been training at CWBJJ for nearly 2 months now and I must say I absolutely love it. Training is very well planned, we get sent weekly syllabus of what... read more each class will be covering in that week. Everyone is friendly and supportive. Head coach João & all other coaches are very patient, helpful & caring. He is very dedicated to make this a great community for everyone. Having trained at difficult martial arts gyms, its hard to find a good training place with a good atmosphere but CWBJJ is the best place. I would highly recommend trying it to anyone, even if you never had done BJJ before dont worry as there fundamentals classes for beginners to help. I hope to see you on the mats 🙂
December 15, 2023Földesi LénárdI started BJJ with Joao and I learned from him so much. I like how he approaches the classes and focuses a lot on the technics. I love that we... read more have combatives, gi and no-gi classes as well, so I can learn all aspects of this martial art. There is a great community as well and the people are really nice and helpful. My son joined the kids class and he loves it. He learned a lot and I like how is more confident in a few new situations. Joao is amazing with kids and knows how to keep them entertained while they learn a technics.
December 14, 2021 - Zhao
Great teacher and good atmosphere! Joao is very patient and explains every move in details. Lovely and friendly training partners. Highly recommended!
December 14, 2022Anh NguyenI’m so pleased to have found CWBJJ. Joao is friendly, knowledgeable and a great teacher. The club has a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, with a diverse mix of members. The... read more classes follow a syllabus which provides a good structure for learning. I look forward to each of the classes, and whole heartedly recommend the club to anyone interested in BJJ.
July 14, 2023Diego DubardJoão e a equipe de professores são muito receptivos e atentos aos detalhes. Desde as aulas de fundamentos de defesa pessoal estamos sempre sendo apresentados a posições e golpes com... read more bastante segurança. Quem se interessa em artes marciais deve fazer uma visita.
September 11, 2024 - Charles Anthony Chu
Friendly and educational brazilian jiu jitsu classes ! Joao is patient with his teachings and gives detailed information on different techniques. Amazing and respectable people to work and spar with... read more too!
April 14, 2023Сабина ТекучанMy daughter has attended the BJJ here for one term, cannot wait to start the new one from September! She absolutely enjoys the classes and is always excited. João and... read more his assistants are on top, always helpful and caring, the environment here is very friendly. Great job, a big THANK YOU from our family!
August 15, 2024 - Stephen F.
Canary Wharf Brazilian Jiu Jitsu offers exceptionally well-structured and engaging classes, catering to a wide array of ages and backgrounds. The gym atmosphere is welcoming, with members eager to share... read more their experiences and insights. If you ever find yourself puzzled during training, the coach takes the time to break down the steps thoroughly, ensuring clarity and understanding. Each week is methodically organized into a syllabus, detailing the focus of upcoming sessions. Conveniently nestled in the Isle of Dogs, CWBJJ is a gem that's easy to locate. Beyond the excellent training and community, it's a perfect choice for those looking to maintain health and fitness while minimizing injury risk, thanks to the guidance of seasoned practitioners. I wholeheartedly recommend CWBJJ for anyone looking to embark on or continue their Jiu Jitsu journey!
January 15, 2024 - Alex Pattle
I'd not trained in jiu-jitsu for about two years when I decided to restart, and Joao was really welcoming – as was everyone else at the club – making it... read more an easy transition back into BJJ. Joao is attentive during the sections of class in which we drill techniques, clear in his instruction, and club members are supportive and considerate during sparring – while still being competitive in a friendly way. There are also classes every day of the week (and at a variety of times), meaning there's sure to be something that works for you. Would wholly recommend.
September 14, 2023Andzelika BorowskaJoao run fun clases for younger kids as well as great sessions for adults. My son is always happy to go and train.
December 14, 2021Kathleen CumminsGreat club, tried a few in the past and this one is definitely the best for a number of reasons. Firstly, they teach a style of BJJ that I... read more enjoy, more of an old school style and with takedowns and judo throws. They also have foundations class which is more self defence based (but any of the classes would honestly teach you that too!) and great for those starting out (especially the ladies!). Secondly, there is very much a community vibe here. Everybody is nice to roll with, and your safety is always considered. Take it from a petite female - I've never once felt uncomfortable rolling with anybody in this club. Lastly, the team of instructors here are all highly skilled and great people. They always take time with each person to make sure they understand. Not much else to add other than come and try it you will not regret it 🙂
July 15, 2024