Instructors

A 4th Degree Black Belt, Thiago Bastos Barbosa is a passionate Brazilian jiu-jitsu expert with an impressive 27-year journey in the sport. As a professional athlete, he has made his mark on both national and international stages, showcasing his skills and dedication. Beyond competition, jiu-jitsu is Thiago's true passion, motivating him to share his wealth of knowledge with fellow enthusiasts.

A Black belt under Thiago Barbosa, Jay started training jiu-jitsu in 2014. Since the beginning, Jay has competed in Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai as well as MMA. Jiu-jitsu has given a lot to Jay and he now shares his knowledge. Teaching is one of Jay’s passions; turning his favourite hobby into a career… Ossss!

Sensei Kevin has been training in martial arts for over 34 years. He holds a 2nd degree Black Belt in Judo and regularly competes in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He is a former college wrestler and is a trained NCCP coach in judo and wrestling. He has coached wrestlers and judoka to provincial and national medals.

Introducing Aki, our newest addition to the Jiu Jitsu Kids competition coaching team! With a brown belt and over a decade of training experience, Aki brings unparalleled expertise to our mats. His dedication and skill have propelled him to rank in the top 5 across Canada in his weight and age category, showcasing his remarkable talent and dedication. With a wealth of competition experience under his belt, Aki is poised to guide young practitioners towards success, imparting not only technical proficiency but also a deep love for the art of Jiu Jitsu.

Francis Sun is a Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Brown Belt under Thiago Barbosa at NewmarketBJJ. His Jiu-jitsu journey began back in 2013 training under Jonny "Rambo" Stephan where he received his Blue Belt in 2014. Later training under Jonny and Thiago he received his Purple Belt in 2019 and promoted to Brown Belt in 2022. He is currently an instructor for the Kid's Program as well as White Belt Fundamentals at NewmarketBJJ.

My jiu-jitsu journey started in 2013 when my best friend dragged me to my first class. Unfortunately, in my first roll, a knee bar sent me to the sidelines and a few weeks of recovery. I had no plans of returning. At the time, I was working as a personal trainer at Goodlife and really not enjoying it. I knew the jiu-jitsu gym had a fitness studio, so I asked the owner if I could train my clients there. This is where my love of jiu-jitsu started. I eat, sleep, and dream jiu-jitsu and it's become my second home. My favourite pastime is researching and studying, and I have developed a strong passion for no-gi jiu-jitsu.

Tyrone Kuronen is a brown belt under Professor Thiago Barbosa and has been training in bjj since 2013. Tyrone has a strong focus on fundamentals of bjj and self defence aspects. He also enjoys sport bjj as well and competes from time to time. Tyrone is a life long practicioner of martial arts for 30 years. He coaches kids classes as well as adults. He is the proud Father of 4 kids and his Wife Sylvie is also is an avid bjj practioner and coaches kids classes. He has also been teaching defensive tactics and physical skills in a professional capacity certified through the Provincial Government for 10 years within his career.

Peter Thompson is a brown belt under Professor Thiago Barbosa and has been training in BJJ since 2018. He has been an active competitor since starting his jiu-jitsu journey and places a heavy emphasis on developing solid fundamental skills when instructing. Peter has been training in various martial arts for over 20 years and currently teaches defensive tactics to active law enforcement personnel. Peter is passionate about physical fitness and is a strong believer in the power of jiu-jitsu. Peter currently coaches the beginner/fundamental classes at Newmarket BJJ.

Zack is a purple belt and has been training for 9 years. Over the years, Zack has competed in over 10 tournaments and has placed within the top 3 in the majority of them. All of his victories were by submission. Zack is also a doting father to his young son. He enjoys using his free time to be present with his family.

Sylvie Kuronen is a purple belt under Professor Thiago Barbosa and has been training in BJJ consistently since 2019. With a background in childcare and 4 children of her own, she loves to teach the little ninjas kids aged 4 to 6 years old, where her expertise in instructing children shines. Sylvie is also a coach/mentor within the women's program, where she motivates women of all ages to live the BJJ lifestyle that incorporates wellness and physical self-defence skills.

Mark Summerhill is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu purple belt, with 5 years of experience. He is extremely passionate about training and teaching BJJ. Throughout his journey Mark has competed in many tournaments such as ADCC, IBJJF, EBI, NAGA, and many Superfights. Outside of competition he has immersed himself in the Jiu-Jitsu community by building his own platform to highlight other local competitors / coaches on his Instagram page On The Mats.

I have been training jiu jitsu since 2020, under the expert instruction of Thiago Barbosa. As an active competitor in both gi and no-gi, jiu jitsu keeps me in shape and fuels my competitive spirit. Beyond that, it provides an opportunity to be part of a supportive team and community. In my classes, I strive to create fun and engaging experiences for kids, helping them develop physical skills while fostering confidence and resilience through jiu jitsu.

Mallory began jiujitsu in 2023 with what began as a single step onto the mats and has evolved into what has become a journey of discovery, learning, and self-mastery. Fueled by her desire to inspire the next generation, and to give back to NBJJ, Mallory transitioned into the role of assistant coach, focusing her attention on the youngest members of the jiu-jitsu community. As an assistant coach, Mallory brings boundless energy, patience, and enthusiasm to each training session. Through playful yet purposeful instruction, she assists in creating a supportive environment where young minds can thrive. With her guidance, they learn not only the art of jiu-jitsu but also resilience, confidence in their abilities, and the importance of teamwork and camaraderie. Mallory continues to embrace the art of jiujitsu with dedication and determination, eager to explore its boundless intricacies and impart its invaluable lessons to others.