Gym

Colin Howells – Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/Submission Coach

Colin first started martial arts at the age of 5 in the style of Shotokan Karate. He always had an interest in the martial arts and combat sports throughout his younger years. He began training ITF Tae Kwon Do at the age of 13, after 10 years of competition and hard training he achieved the title of 1st degree black belt. Competing for a few years at black belt level he was invited to join the national team after beating the English captain in the British open. His achievements included several British and National gold medals in this period however his greatest accomplishment was to win 2 Bronze medals at the International UKTF championships with 2 days preparation. Over the years he trained in many different styles including Lau Gar Kung Fu, Kickboxing, Thai Boxing, Judo and others obtaining grades along the way.

The real passion was for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

After training in London with Mauricio Gomes (Roger Gracies father) Colin decided to train with Alex De souza in 2003 after Mauricio left for Rio. With Alex Colin gained victory winning gold at heavy weight level. Colin trained regularly with the Brazilian master who introduced him to Vitor ‘Shaolin’ Riberio while he was visiting for a seminar. Shaolin invited Colin to live at his house and train at the legendary Nova Uniao gym in Rio, Colin stayed for almost 6 months which gave a huge head start as a white belt. When returning Alex’s high standards required Colin to perform well to earn a blue belt. Winning gold again in open competition colin was awarded his blue by Alex and Shaolin after the victory. In 2005 Colin decided to use his experience and knowledge and opened a small school to allow him to train more and being devoted to spreading the art of BJJ being the first in portsmouth and second in the south. Colin then visited Rio again in 2007 for more training to improve his knowledge and help his students. The hunger for competition grew and a month after returning he was offered to fight in the WUMA/BIKMA Amateur British MMA Championships. Fighting 2 fights on the day Colin won the British title but decided not to fight at that level anymore as his second opponent suffered painful injury.

After a few more years of teaching in Portsmouth the club has performed very well at the biggest tournaments in the country taking medals in almost every comp. This is a seen as a great achievement as being one of the smallest clubs that compete. Colin was awarded his Purple belt by Shaolin in 2009. As well as visiting Brazil a few more times and winning again in professional MMA twice more, over the last 4 years Colin regularly visits NYC to train directly with Vitor Shaolin at his Manhattan Academy to further his knowledge, compete and prepare for competition. When visiting Rio Colin is coached by Jose Aldo for his brand of Thai Boxing which came directly from Pedro Rizzo. Colin is a multiple gold medallist & international competitor in Gi and Submission fighting and a medalist in Freestyle Olympic Wrestling who has vast experience in the combat arts who has trained with over 30 of the best fighters in the world from Ex Pride and UFC champions to current champions such as Anderson Silva.