Wheatpieces Community Centre, Tewkesbury, GL20 7SP

Jujutsu is the most effective and complete martial art for self-defence & real-life.

Battle tested, honed through sport, with traditional roots.

Japanese Jujutsu began centuries ago as a battlefield martial art used by samurai to defend themselves when disarmed. Designed to subdue armoured opponents using joint locks, throws and strikes, it was developed and refined over hundreds of years in feudal Japan.

In the late 19th century, Jigoro Kano (a Jujutsu master) adapted Jujutsu into what we now know as Judo. By removing dangerous techniques and focusing on throws and groundwork, Kano created a system that could be practised safely and taught widely.

From there, Judo and Jujutsu made its way to Brazil in the early 20th century via Mitsuyo Maeda. The Gracie family, inspired by Kano’s methods, took the art back to it's practical self-defence aspects, naming their style Gracie Jiu-jitsu (commonly referred to as BJJ), focusing on taking attackers to the ground, ground control, submissions and leverage-based techniques. Over time Gracie schools of Jiu-jitsu became renowned for their heavy focus on sparring and resistance training peaking in the 1990s with the early UFCs. Over the past 30 years BJJ has evolved again into a highly finessed sport art with a heavy focus on pure sport submission grappling.

At Tewkesbury Jujutsu Club (TJK Tewkesbury) we teach Jujutsu, a comprehensive blend of:

  • Real world practical self-defence applications
  • Jujutsu & Judo throws and takedowns
  • Effective and powerful striking
  • Applied Jiu-jitsu ground skills
  • Modern sport submission grappling
  • Traditional Japanese Jujutsu

This integrated approach gives our students a well rounded skillset, effective real-world skills tested and developed via sport training, and an understanding of how Jujutsu has adapted and evolved through time, while staying true to Jujutsu's traditional and practical roots.

At TJK Tewkesbury, we are the newest club in the TJK Jujutsu Association under Sensei Ross Iannoccaro (8th Dan Jujutsu, 2nd Dan Judo, 1st Dan Karate) who has been teaching Jujutsu for over 45 years, and along with his son Sensei Lee Iannoccaro, they have continued to evolve, refine and update the TJK syllabus to be one of the most comprehensive and effective self-defence and jujutsu schools in the UK.

Train in a martial art shaped by history, built for today.

Taijutsu Kai

Schools of Jujutsu
Tewkesbury

A Complete System

Taijutsu Kai teaches an advanced syllabus of Japanese Jujutsu (Ju Jitsu / Jiu Jitsu) the original mixed martial art (MMA) and self-defence. Including throws, takedowns, striking, submissions and joint locks.
With numerous long running clubs across Worcestershire and Gloucestershire TJK has been teaching martial arts to 1000’s of students for over 40 years. We are excited to bring TJK’s unique combination of both reality-based self-defence and sport MMA to Tewkesbury. Our friendly and welcoming classes with a structured syllabus are perfect for everyone looking to learn martial arts, get fit and have fun. TJK is renowned for its prowess and emphasis on practical and effective self-defence. At TJK Tewkesbury we believe TJK has the most comprehensive and expansive self-defence syllabus in Martial Arts. It has been developed, updated and expanded on over 40 years of continuous development by Sensei Ross Iannoccaro, head of Taijutsu Kai. Traditional roots and Japanese lineage are highly valued and that is reflected in TJKs highest standards, professionalism and principles of respect and honour shown throughout its clubs.
Visit TJK Association Website

Self-Defence

Practical, reality based self defence classes in Tewkesbury. Including restraints, personal protection and weapon / knife defence, used by many police and armed forces around the world.

Sport Jujutsu

Students learn and compete in various types of competitions. Sport Jujutsu (Kumite) - Grappling and Submission (BJJ) - Grapple & Strike (MMA)
Students learn mixed martial arts with striking, grappling, and submissions. Including regular sparring and grappling rounds in most classes.
TJK Tewkesbury students with head of association Sensei Ross Iannoccaro celebrating Tewkesbury's 2nd anniversary
Wheat Pieces Community Centre, Tewkesbury - Sunday 29th October 2023
Our structured and functional self defence programs are an accumulation of over 50 years of experience and knowledge and are based on a blend of both traditional and modern aspects of the art, providing, effective reality based self defence skills.

Our success is driven by a simple philosophy –

‘We empower students to take control & stay safe’
Tuesday
ADULT Class

Wheatpieces Community Centre,

Tewkesbury, GL20 7SP

Tuesdays
6.30pm to 7.30pm

Beginners and Fundamentals Class

7.30pm to 8.30pm

Advanced and Sports Class

£7 per class or £10 for both (2 hours)
This is a double class, first hour is Beginners and Fundamentals, the second hour is Advanced Syllabus or Sport / Sparring / Rounds.
Book this class
Thursday
ADULT Class

Wheatpieces Community Centre,

Tewkesbury, GL20 7SP

Thursdays
7.30pm to 9pm
£8 per class
A mix of self-defence and sport Jujutsu suitable for both beginners and advanced (Throws, Striking, Ground and Submissions)
Book this class
Sunday
ADULT Class

Wheatpieces Community Centre,

Tewkesbury, GL20 7SP

Sundays
5pm to 6.30pm
£8 per class
A mix of self-defence and sport Jujutsu suitable for both beginners and advanced (Throws, Striking, Ground and Submissions)
Book this class
Senseis

Jen & MArk

Sensei Jen and Sensei Mark are two of Taijutsu Kai’s newest and most passionate instructors. Training under three of TJK’s most senior instructors.

Sensei Mark first started Jujutsu in 1999 achieving his blue belt under Sensei Rob Tiene, before returning under Sensei Rob Tiene, Sensei Lee Iannoccaro and Sensei Ross Iannoccaro in 2014.

Sensei Jen started training in 2015 and together they would travel to every club and consistently train, 5 days a week, under 3 incredible instructors.

Truly embracing Jujutsu and a love for both Self-Defence and Sport (MMA), Jen and Mark bring their knowledge and experience to their classes with energy and passion.

Both are level 3  first aid trained, fully insured, level 2 fitness instructors, and hold 1st Dan Black belts in Jujutsu under Ross Iannoccaro.
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  • Ellie Kim
    "I cannot recommend Mark and Jen enough as teachers.
    I have been training with them now for 5 months and they have provided me with so much support and insight in to my practice. You won't regret it if you give it a go. I promise!"
  • Nick Hetherington
    "Jen and Mark are excellent instructors with incredible knowledge. Their knowledge and skills are amazing and I love learning from them"
  • Ian Connor
    "Jen and Mark are both hugely talented jujutsu practitioners who live and breathe Japanese jujutsu. Their understanding of the art is exceptional and their attention to the smallest details make them tremendously effective teachers. I learn something new every time I have the opportunity to train with them."
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