Coaches

Justin Sander, founder and owner of The Ludus Martial Arts Academy is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) with over 10 years of combined experience in BJJ, Mixed Martial Arts, and Wrestling. He has competed in competitions all over North America including Ultimate Mat Warriors (under EBI rules), King of the Cage, and World Series of Fighting. 

 

Justin has coached a variety of successful programs such as:

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• Implemented and coached the Jiu-Jitsu programs at The Little Sweatshop where he was the head coach for four years. Programs included: Teddy Bear Jitz, Kids BJJ, Adult Fundamental BJJ, Competitive/Advanced Adult BJJ, and Women's only classes and camps.

• Instructor with The BJJ Program (Donnan Elementary School and Vimy Ridge Academy) for the last 3 years.

• Self-Defense instructor for EMS and First Responders.

• BJJ Instructor at Complete Fitness and Martial Arts.

Curt Malin is a 2nd degree Black Belt, under Eduardo Telles, Team 99

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In 2008, Curt founded The BJJ Program in partnership with the Edmonton Public School Board, becoming the Director and Head Instructor for Donnan Elementary School and Vimy Ridge Academy in Edmonton.

 

Curt specializes in Turtle Guard within both disciplines of BJJ (Gi and No-Gi).

Coaching credentials

• Head coach of the kids bjj class

• Assistant coach for the youth bjj class

• Taught martial arts to school groups such as OLPH & St.Teresa’s catholic school

• Assisted with self defence classes for indigenous women,

• Teaches privates 1 on 1’s

• Attended a 3 day seminar camp with Ffion Davies

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Achievements

• Blue belt in bjj

• SBGT superfight champion

• SBGT blue/purple gold medalists

• Gi and Nogi Gold medalists for the following tournaments: True north, SBGT, Ambassador’s, Pure Bjj, CBJJF

Johnny graduated with a degree in business in 2019 with a background in supply chain management. He is currently a full martial arts and fitness coach with combined competition experience in Martial Arts and Powerlifting.

Johnny represented Canada at The FISU University Worlds Sanda Championships. Passionate since starting martial arts Johnny is experienced in Sanda (the national combat sport of China that involves full contact kickboxing combined with wrestling) and competing as a professional MMA fighter. He has also competed in powerlifting and weightlifting. He is using his education to help pursue his passion for fitness and living a sustainable healthy lifestyle. Since graduating from University he has committed to being a coach for the last 3 years.

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Competition Experience:

• 74kg junior powerlifting CPU champion (Alberta 2014)

• 74kg silver medalist at CPU Westerns championship (Canada 2015)

• 77kg Can am Sanda champion (Canada 2016)

• 70kg Sanda bronze medalist at the FISU University World Championships (Macau 2018)

• As a lightweight professional mixed martial artist is 2-0 (2016-2018)

• 5 years Muay Thai Kickboxing Experience

• 2-0 Amateur MMA Record

• IBJJF 2019 No-Gi World’s Competition: Silver and Bronze medalist (Weight & Absolute)

• IBJJF San Jose Open Double Gold

Wrestling experience:

• Started wrestling in grade 10 (8 years of experience)

• Current member of the UofA pandas wrestling team

• Junior world team member

• U23 world team member

Coaching experience :

• Kids BJJ/Wrestling volunteer instructor at little sweat shop

• Jasper (2019, 2021, 2022)Jasper wrestling camp Counclor

Volunteer wrestling coach at multiple schools including:

• Bev facey composite high school

• Amiskwaciy academy

• Vimy ridge academy

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Currently studying at the University of Alberta in bachelor of education

• completed a practicum at Vimy ridge academy, working with the junior high BJJ program