About Us
MEET
GB North Vancouver
MEET OUR
Expert Instructors
Our instructors have years of experience working with all ability levels and offer gentle correction for children and teens practicing martial arts.
Professor Tony Kook
Owner
ABOUT TONY
- Owner of GB North Vancouver and Master Tony Kook’s Taekwondo Academies
- BJJ Black Belt
- American National’s Champion
- Pan’s Champion
- World Master’s Medalist
Black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under professor Rodrigo Carvalho (Gracie Barra Vancouver)
Athos Leao
Program Director
ABOUT ATHOS
*Coach Athos is a lifelong martial artist and a big advocate of healthy living.
*Athos is a certified personal trainer.
*Loves the North Shore, it’s healthy living climate, and is passionate about helping our members.
*Guaranteed to greet you with a big smile every time you come in!
Tyler Milne
Assistant Program Director
ABOUT TYLER
*Year of experience working in the Corporate and hospitality sectors.
*Began training in martial arts and Gracie Barra as a way to meet new friends and get in shape while learning real world, practical self defense
*Serves as assistant Program Director for GB North Van because he loves the Academy and the people we serve!
Professor Leandro Serafim
Head Instructor
ABOUT LEANDRO
Our clean, friendly and progress oriented environment allows the students to have a challenging, inspirational and warm learning experience that always makes them feel like coming back.
- CPR program certified Red Cross
- IBJJF certified referee
- South American No Gi challenge champion LBJJ 2010
- 2nd place Brazilian Nationals 2009 CBJJ(IBJJF)
- Provincial Champion 2009 (campeão Mineiro 2009) FMJJ
Black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under professor Rodrigo Carvalho (Gracie Barra Vancouver)
Professor Anthony Tomov
Senior Instructor
ABOUT ANTHONY
Hometown: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Fight Style: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Rank: Brown Belt
Affiliation: Gracie Barra under supervision of Professor Rodrigo Carvalho.
In January 2013, I started my Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey. I wanted to learn some self-defence and gain a fun and challenging activity to workout. I gained so much more then a activity. I gained perseverance, build self-confidence, Respect and love for Martial Arts. These days I train regularly on the mats at all times morning, noon and night and will continue to do so. I also started teaching the kids program and will do my best to pass on the knowledge I have learned from my professors, coaches, training partners and friends.
“Martial Arts is a vehicle for developing your human potential”
Grappling achievements:
2018: Can-Am International Championship – Openweight – Purple Belt – 1st – Gold medalist & Belt
2018: Can-Am International Championship
– Openweight – Advance No-Gi – 2nd – Silver medalist
2018: Vancouver Island Open
– Lightweight – Advance No-Gi – 2nd – Silver medalist
2018: The Last Warrior
– Middleweight – Purple Belt – 3rd – Bronze medalist
2017: Canadian Grappling Federation
– Lightweight – Purple belt – 2nd – Sliver medalist
2017: Canadian Grappling Federation
– Openweight – Purple belt – 3rd – Bronze medalist
2017: Vancouver International Judo
– Lightweight – 3rd – Bronze
Professor Justin James
Kickboxing Instructor
ABOUT JUSTIN
Justin James has been practicing mixed martial arts since 2005. He started his martial arts journey in Honolulu, Hawaii with a few Jiu Jitsu classes but soon realized that he had more of an affiliation with striking. Soon he started Muay Thai class with Haru Shinmanshi (Founder of AMC in Washington and HMC in Hawaii).
After a year or so learning the basics, Haru allowed Justin to join David Yueng’s (China Man) fight team where Justin would focus on mixed martial arts with an amatuer/pro team.
Justin had one fight during this time at 155lbs which came out as a draw.
In 2009 Justin then moved to Vancouver, British Columbia where he joined Dynamic MMA under Adam Ryan (MMA/Jiu Jitsu) and Joel Wasel (Striking).
At Dynamic MMA Justin trained with professional fighters Dejan Kajic (BFL 170 Champ), Matt Tredeu, Brendan Kornberger, Cole Smith (UFC), Garette Davis (King of Cage 170lbs champ) others and became an intrical part of the team.
As Dynamic MMA was changing ownership, Justin moved on to train at Lions MMA where he continued his training and furthered his knowledge in striking and grappling.
After enduring one too many injuries Justin moved on to create his own striking group in East Vancouver which primarily focused on the basics of striking and cardio. During that time Justin joined Gracie Barra Vancouver to continue his Jiu Jitsu journey.
Justin spends several months a year back in his hometown of Hawaii. While in Hawaii Justin trains Jiu Jitsu at Gracie Techniques under Rylan Lizares and Matt Isoda. There Justin shares the mats with UFC fighters Max Halloway, Yancy Medeiros, and Louis Smolka.
Justin has taught Kickboxing / Muay Thai / classes at:
- Spartacus Gym
- Gracie Barra Vancouver
- Turf
- Capoeira Ashe Brasil