Denis Kang
July 2004
When Marcus Soares first moved to Vancouver to set up his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu club one of his first students was Denis Kang. He is Marcus’ first BJJ black belt outside of Brazil in his own club. Over the last 10 years Denis has competed in the following organizations, Bas Rutten Invitational, UCC, USMMA, Super Brawl, TKO, Pancrase, IFC, World Freestyle Fighting, M-1 MFC Russia, Spirit MC, AFC, PRIDE Bushido, K-1, Dream, Raw Combat and UFC.
Omar Salvosa
September 2005
Omar Salvosa is a 5 time national champion under the Canadian Jiu-Jitsu Association and has represented Canada internationally in both grappling and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) competition. He is a 2 time Gold medalist as the Lightweight competitor for Team Canada at the World Kobudo Grappling Championships. Omar is known as one of Ontario’s pioneer students of BJJ and grappling, alongside standout colleagues Carlos Newton, Jeff Joslin, Mark Bocek and other highly skilled competitors actively practicing today. Salvosa is a Marcus’ BJJ senior representative of the Carlson Gracie Team in Ontario and runs his own club Ascension in Scarborough, Ontario.
Stephan Kesting
December 2006
Vlado Skrepnik
December 2006
Adam Ryan
December 2006
Adam Zugec
March 2008
Mark Stables
June 2008
After running MECCA Martial Arts in Toronto Ontario, Mark Stabes now is established in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. Mark Stables has been studying various martial arts for over 25 years. Mark competed in the 2004 Copa Do Mundo (World Cup) de Jiu-Jitsu in Brazil where he took home a bronze medal in the masters division, light heavyweight. Mark is a great instructor with great skills.
Maurice Parry
November 2009
Maurice was promoted November 2009
Clint “Sanguebom” Allert
August 2010
Clint Sanguebom” Allert received his black belt on August 2010. On a trip to Ontario Marcus Soares surprised Allert with a black belt. Allert owns and operates the Sanguebom Burlington Academy of Martial Arts (BAMA) in Ontario Canada which he took over in in August 2003. Sanguebom also hold’s a Black Belt in Japanese Jiu-Jitsu which focuses heavily on effective methods of Self Defense in close quarter conditions and is a certified personal trainer. Since taking over and running the club Allert has skillfully orchestrated a strong team to represent Burlington in the GTA as well as internationally. His team has been fortunate to remain 9-0 in MMA competition in 2009.
Troy Scheer
October 2010
Troy Scheer is Marcus’ 10th BJJ black belt and is the official representative of the world renowned Marcus Soares and Carlson Gracie Team in Saskatoon Saskatchewan. He runs Scheer’s Martial Arts which was established in 1967, is one of the longest running Martial Arts schools in Western Canada. In addition to his BJJ black belt Scheer was certified under Grandmaster Thosaphon Sitawatjana better known as Grandmaster Toddy in 1997. His program has produced many successful Champions including 1 World Title holder, 3 Canadian Title holders, 3 Western Canadian Title holders, 4 Provincial Title holders and 5 WKA Canadian Golden Glove Champions. Tony has built a strong MMA, kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu team in Saskatchewan.
Tom Montes
November 2010
Tom Montes was promoted November 2010.
Mike Hong
June 2011
Michael was introduced to the Brazilian style of Jiu-Jitsu by some fellow students about 12 years ago. He was immediately fascinated with the efficiency and effectiveness of the “gentle art”. He’s never stopped learning and training BJJ since. Over the years Michael has competed and medaled in various BJJ, grappling, and submission wrestling tournaments, in addition to fighting professional MMA competition. Michael is also the owner of BAMA with his longtime friend and mentor, Clint Allert and supports his efforts in building a strong BJJ and MMA team to represent the Carlson Gracie/Marcus Soares Canada Team.
Jason Parry
November 2011
Eric Boutilier
November 2011
Benito Segura
July 2013
Benito Segura, is the 14th BJJ black belt Promoted by Marcus Soares and on July 14, 2013 Benito received his black belt after 12 years. Benito is one of the most decorated fighters in the Carlson Gracie Canada team and has fought around the world winning medal on every continent and at every major BJJ tournament.
- Gold – Western Canadian, Canadian Grappling Grand Prix, Tiger Balm International Champion (multiple) Light Heavy and Absolute
- Gold – 2005 Pan American Jiu-Jitsu Championships, Los Angeles Heavyweight
- Silver – 2006 Copa Do Mundo (world cup) Jiu-Jitsu Championships, Rio de Janeiro Super Heavyweight
- Silver – 2006 Gracie Jiu-Jitsu World Championships, Los Angeles. Above 194 lbs
- Gold (x2) – 2006 Asian Open Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Championships, Tokyo. Super Heavyweight & Absolute
- Gold – 2007 European Open Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Championships, Portugal. Super Super Heavyweight
- Gold – 2007 Carlson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Cup, Vancouver. Open Class
- Gold (x4) – Pan Pacific Jiu-Jitsu Championships, Australia. +200 lbs Gi & No-Gi, Absolute Gi & No-Gi, Voted ‘Most Technical Fighter’
Tony Williamsom
April 2014
Tony Williamsom was promoted April 2014.
Henry (Hank) Panek
June 2014
Henry “Hank”Panek is the 16 th black belt promoted by Marcus Soares as of June 1st, 2014. Hank is the head instructor at South Island Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at Island Fitness on Vancouver Island which was established in 2008. Hank has trained under Marcus since 1999 and also brings a high level of Judo to the team. For more info go to www.sibjj.com or contact at [email protected] or call (250) 732-5565 / (250) 743-7600
Gabriel Vieira de Carvalho
September 2014
Sean McHugh
November 2014
David Levey
June 2015
Jonathan Curtis
March 2016
Bryan Rumble
September 2016
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