Joel achieves black belt in 'holy grail'

It's taken 22 years of training in a variety of disciplines but he has dedicated himself to Brazilian jiu jitsu for the past 15 years.

MIXED MARTIAL ARTS FANS: A variety of people train with Joel Szepesvary at Combat Lab, Coolum.

ACCOLADES flowed for local sportsman Joel Szepesvary as he reached a pinnacle in mixed martial arts: attaining a black belt in his chosen discipline of Brazilian jiu jitsu.

Szepesvary, who is the head coach at Combat Lab Coolum, a martial arts gym established in Coolum eight years ago.

The 34-year-old is a sportsman and a scholar, having attained two science degrees.

He said it was this combination of attributes that enabled him to achieve a black belt in the discipline known as the holy grail of martial arts.

It takes time and experience to reach this level of skill.

In fact, it's taken 22 years of training in a variety of disciplines but he has dedicated himself to Brazilian jiu jitsu for the past 15 years.

Szepesvary said he had a karate black belt but only a handful of people on the Sunshine Coast who had a black belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu.

"This is a thinking man's sport which is perfect for all participants, male and female, and of any age,” he said.

"It's the science of using the technique effectively.

"We take pride in our facility at Coolum and we run a not-for-profit component out of Combat Lab called Healthy Coolum Community where we reach out to the wider community to help people develop mentally and physically.

"We provide good, positive role models within our community for support. ”

Brett Watson, who trains at Combat Lab, said he was impressed with Szepesvary's dedication to his students and his recent achievement.

"Joel is an absolute legend and an idol to a lot of youth in our community,” he said.

Combat Lab is on Quanda Rd in the industrial estate and Szepesvary invites the public to check out the program on offer, Monday to Friday at 5.30pm. Call 0411 383 257.