Top 50 martial arts students from Flow Martial Arts, PCYC Gold Coast, Boonchu Gym, Combined Martial Arts and Hammer Boxing Academy
KAPOW! With over 50 martial arts schools on the Gold Coast, there’s plenty of sporting talent packing a pretty serious punch. SEE THE KNOCKOUT LIST >>
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They are the stars of today and tomorrow packing a punch in one of the Gold Coast’s fastest-growing sports.
In part I of the Bulletin’s top martial arts students, disciplines including boxing, Jiu-Jitsu, Karate, Judo and Muay Thai have been covered - and we’re bringing you the best of the best.
There very well could be the next Bruce Lee or Chuck Norris in this knockout round-up.
Some of these students have travelled the world and have won too many titles to list.
Others are already making a name for themselves despite only being in their chosen sport a matter of months.
SEE PART I OF THE TOP 50 MARTIAL ARTS STUDENTS ON THE COAST >>
FLOW MARTIAL ARTS
Yan Balladi, 9
Specialty: Jiu-Jitsu
Flow Martial Arts teacher Chantel Wong said Yan started Jiu-Jitsu when he was three.
“He trains hard and his dream is to become a professional fighter,” she says.
Yan is a two-time national champion and has also snared three Queensland and a Pan Pacific titles.
PART I: TOP 75 DANCERS ON THE COAST
Raína Lonczar, 36
Specialty: Jiu-Jitsu
Raina received her purple belt in 2021 and is a head coach at Flow.
“She trains regularly and consistently, putting a lot of time and effort into her own training as well as learning skills to pass on to students,” Wong says.
Raina has won Queensland and Victorian crowns.
Filipe Wenceslau, 36
Specialty: Jiu-Jitsu
Felipe started training Jiu-Jitsu at Flow in 2015 and recently received his brown belt.
“He puts in consistent effort while training, and competes regularly,” teacher Chantel Wong says.
Felipe’s impressive portfolio includes an International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation Pan Pacific title, two national crowns and four Queensland championship wins.
Noe Gouguenheim, 27
Specialty: Jiu-Jitsu
Noe has been training Jiu-Jitsu for three years.
“His dedication and consistency with training has shown, and he has won many fights through his career,” Chantel Wong says.
“His goals are to continue competing and in the future coach full-time.”
Noe is an Australian and Queensland champion.
Ned Simmons, 9
Specialty: Jiu-Jitsu
Chantel Wong says Ned has a passion for all sports – including swimming, running – but especially Jiu-Jitsu.
“Ned always puts 100 per cent into his training and is always looking to challenge himself with competitions,” she says.
PART II: TOP 75 DANCERS ON THE COAST
PCYC GC
Dallas Ingram, 15
Specialty: Boxing
PCYC Gold Coast head boxing coach Jay Toope says Dallas is a natural athlete who “could pick up anything you teach him”.
“Very explosive puncher who could have a big future in boxing,” he says.
“Dallas walked into the gym at seven years old looking to get fitter for football.
“He also signed a three-year contract with the Gold Coast Future Titans this year.
“So keep your eye out for this future champion.”
Dallas’ boxing record is 21-3. He is a three-time state champion and competed in America against the Californian champion.
Jax Damro, 15
Specialty: Boxing
Jaz has made a name for himself despite being in training only a few years, including netting a state title.
“He is all heart who has a good gas tank,” head coach Jay Toope says.
“Jax has been hampered with injuries and, of course, Covid has slowed down his ability to compete, but he is back fighting and will no doubt finish the year well.”
Jax’s record is 12-3.
Connie Chan, 36
Specialty: Boxing
Connie started boxing at 30 years of age to change her lifestyle.
“She has done very well since putting gloves on,” Toope says.
“Connie has a walk-up style and you can never question her heart. She is never in a boring fight.”
Connie has a 30-plus fight record and is the assistant coach at PCYC. She has won state titles as an amateur and a middleweight pro.
Ryder Damro, 17
Specialty: Boxing
Ryder had become a great inside fighter after only two years of training.
“Moves very well in close and very strong,” Toope says.
“He had a close loss at his first state titles but shows he is ready to mix it with the best in his division already.
“He is a great new talent and one to watch.”
Ryder holds a 4-1 record.
Marley Kelman, 15
Specialty: Boxing
Marley has already won a state crown in only five years of boxing.
“Marley has a very relaxed style, fighting a lot of the time with his hands down using his explosiveness and evasive skills,” coach Toope says.
“A kid that is genetically gifted and has plenty of time in the ring.
“He just needs to put it all together now and will be hard to beat.”
PART III: TOP 75 DANCERS ON THE COAST
BOONCHU GYM
Jesse-James Parr, 14
Specialty: MMA
Kickboxer and Boonchu Gym teacher Angela Rivera-Parr says Jesse-James recently won the NoGi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu State Championships and was an undefeated MMA junior fighter.
He is unbeaten in 10 fights.
Jed Anderson, 9, and Jemma Parr, 8
Specialty: Jiu-Jitsu
Jed and Jemma are a deadly duo and “great training buddies”.
Teacher Angela Rivera-Parr says they recently won Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu state titles.
“Jemma and her brother Jesse-James are travelling to the USA to compete in the biggest BJJ event in the world, the Pan Kids, on July 24 in Florida.”
Lava Lopez, 12
Specialty: Jiu-Jitsu
Lava is set to travel America for the Pan Kids in July, having recently won double gold in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu state titles.
Jayden Staiti, 23
Specialty: Pro Muay Thai fighter
Jayden started fighting when he was eight years old. He is up next on June 25 in Brisbane.
PART I: TOP 100 INFLUENCERS ON THE COAST
COMBINED MARTIAL ARTS NERANG
Jordan Diamond, 21
Specialty: Kata
Combined Martial Arts teacher Theresa Wakefield says Jordan is on his second dan black belt.
“He is champion in multiple divisions, including Kata, sparring and weapons,” she says.
Angel Smith, 13
Specialty: Weapons
Angel is first dan black belt and a black belt in weapons.
“Angel is strong, determined and competitive,” Theresa Wakefield says.
Angel is rated No.1 in Queensland and Australia for her age group.
Caeli McGowan, 10
Specialty: Weapons
Caeli recently graded to first dan black belt and has a black belt in weapons.
“Caeli is a devoted and determined young lady with skills beyond her years,” Wakefield says.
PART II: TOP 100 INFLUENCERS ON THE COAST
Aurelia Cherith Torok, 10
Specialty: Weapons
Aurelia is a brown belt/white stripe and black belt in weapons.
“Aurelia, or Raa Raa as she is affectionately known, is an amazing athlete and has titles in multiple styles,” Wakefield says.
Jaydn Evans, 9
Specialty: Weapons
Jaydn is a brown belt/white stripe, and black belt in weapons.
“Jaydn is Queensland champion and one of the most talented junior martial artist we have ever come across,” teacher Theresa Wakefield says.
HAMMER BOXING ACADEMY
Millar Dunn, 12
Specialty: Boxing
Millar has been boxing for a year.
“In that time he has shown a great ability to learn, reciprocate and implement techniques in sparring that he has learned from our coaching staff,” a Hammer Boxing Academy spokesperson says.
“He is a great student and future champion.”
PART II: TOP 100 INFLUENCERS ON THE COAST
Taj Singh, 14
Specialty: Boxing
Taj has been training at the Hammer Boxing Academy for nine months.
“He is a tough, pressure style, boxer-puncher with a lot of power and promise,” a spokesperson said.
“All Taj has to do is push himself and the world is his oyster.”
Hadi Mortazavi, 17
Specialty: Boxing
Hadi had improved immensely during her nine months at the academy, a spokesperson says.
“He has evolved into a brilliantly elusive counter-puncher, coupled with good power and speed he poses a threat to all in the future,” they said.
Sean Manthey, 15
Specialty: Boxing
Sean “had shown not only incredible growth, but true fighter’s maturity in the short nine months he has been under the tutelage of our coaches”, an academy spokesperson says.
“From merely throwing wild shots in hope to locating, selecting and firing shots with precision.
“Boxing has brought Sean out of his shell. The more he does, the more imposing he becomes.”
PART IV: TOP 100 INFLUENCERS ON THE COAST
Zac Hannasky, 14
Specialty: Boxing
Zac had shown a massive improvement in just eight months.
“From a somewhat timid start to an aggressive and tough angle-fighter,” an academy spokesperson says.
“He has applied himself well to the craft and stands to be a great boxer if he is disciplined enough to endure.”
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