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About
Black Knights Jiu Jitsu – Birkenhead & Silverdale is a world-class Jiu Jitsu Academy located in Auckland, New Zealand. It is supervised by BJJ Black Belt 2nd Dan Ricardo Castagna, originally from Sao Paulo, Brazil, where his martial arts journey began at a young age with Judo, followed by Hapki Do and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. With over 30 years of experience in martial arts, Ricardo brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the club.
Our club is proud to be part of a highly technical team and offers high-level BJJ, Submission Grappling, and Self Defence training. We have two locations, one inside Urban Sport Gym in Birkenhead and the other at Dynamic Martial Arts Centre in Silverdale. Established on Auckland's North Shore in 2014, our club provides a safe, clean, and fun environment for people of all ages and skill levels in our dedicated training facility.
At Black Knights Jiu Jitsu, we offer traditional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes for adults, kids, families, and law enforcement officials, catering to beginners as well as advanced practitioners. Our classes run most days of the week, and our dedicated instructors strive to teach our students self-defence, fitness, confidence, discipline, and most importantly, to have a great time while training.
We offer a range of classes, including beginners BJJ, advanced BJJ, Kids & Teens BJJ, and personal instruction. Whether you are looking to get in shape, interested in effective self-defence training, or a serious martial artist and competitor, our experienced trainers will help you achieve your goals.
One unique feature that sets us apart from other clubs is that with your membership, you get 24/7 access to the gym, which includes a weights area, kicking bags, speed bags, a boxing ring, and BJJ mats. We provide you with all the necessary equipment to enhance your training experience.
Mike Hall is our Professor Black Belt 1st Dan and has been involved in BJJ since the early 2000s. He is one of the first BJJ students from Pedro Tukaha BJJ and has played a crucial role in developing the academy over the years. Mike's extensive knowledge of the art surpasses the norm for a black belt. He is dedicated to studying the art and passing on his passion and expertise to our students.
With his methodical and detailed instruction, Mike helps our team achieve their maximum potential on and off the mats.
Ricardo Castagna is our Professor Black Belt 2nd Dan and the Head Coach of Black Knights Jiu Jitsu. He started his martial arts career at 13 years old with Korean Hapkido and transitioned to Jiu Jitsu at 16. In 2005, he moved to New Zealand and after a brief hiatus, returned to training in 2010. Ricardo received his black belt from Pedro (Tukaha BJJ) in 2016.
He is extremely passionate about BJJ and martial arts in general, continually studying the art to pass it on to the next generations. Ricardo has achieved remarkable personal milestones, including being a 2x NZ Grappler National Champion and several other podium finishes.
Marcelo Sinja is our Coach Brown Belt 2nd Dan. Originally from Curitiba, Brazil, he had his first encounter with Jiu Jitsu in 1998. However, he only resumed training with focus and discipline in 2011. Marcelo has participated in regional, national, and international championships, earning valuable experience and honing his skills.
As a coach, he brings his passion for the art and dedication to the team, providing guidance and support to our members.
At Black Knights Jiu Jitsu – Birkenhead & Silverdale, we are dedicated to promoting the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, providing top-quality instruction, and fostering a welcoming and inclusive community. We welcome individuals of all backgrounds and skill levels to join our club and embark on a transformative martial arts journey. Contact us today and become a part of our Black Knights family.