SPORT JIU-JITSU CANADA FEDERATION
Canada’s National Sport Organization (NSO) For Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
About Sport Jiu-Jitsu Canada Federation
The federation works to establish standardized competition rules, support athlete development, and foster a safe, inclusive, and ethical environment for participants at all levels.
Through partnerships with clubs, coaches, officials, and provincial organizations, SJJCANF aims to grow the sport nationally while maintaining the highest standards of integrity and excellence.
Team Canada Anchors Top-15 Global Finish at the 2026 SJJIF World Championships
The 2026 SJJIF World Jiu-Jitsu Championship concluded at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan, with Team Canada (SJJCANF) delivering a highly competitive performance against the world's elite.
Competing across multiple brackets, Canadian athletes secured 17 medals, earning Canada an official 12th-place finish in the global federation standings.
Championship Overview and Discipline Breakdown
The team proved its depth by capturing world titles in both traditional Gi and No-Gi formats. Of the 17 podium finishes, the team won 7 medals in Gi divisions and 10 in No-Gi.
Gi Divisions: 4 Gold, 1 Silver, 2 Bronze
No-Gi Divisions: 4 Gold, 4 Silver, 2 Bronze
Individual Results by Belt Rank
Black Belt
Jon Matzov (Master 30 Ultra Heavy): Earned Gold in a dominant Gi campaign and added a Silver medal to his record in the No-Gi bracket.
Michele Forte (Master 51 Light): Fought through a challenging bracket to secure a Bronze medal in the Gi division.
Brown Belt
Thomas Mark Whynot (Master 41 Medium Heavy): Achieved a double-gold performance, capturing Gold in both the Gi and No-Gi divisions.
Malik Belhaj (Adult 18): Secured Gold in the No-Gi Medium Heavy division and battled to a Silver medal in the Adult 18 Open Weight No-Gi bracket.
Purple Belt
Mwhnad Al-Nakeeb (Master 30 Light): Showcased elite technical execution to take home a Silver medal in No-Gi.
Blue Belt
Bertrand Lauture (Adult 18 Heavy): Delivered a standout performance to capture Gold in the No-Gi division.
John Mutton (Master 56): Displayed great versatility in the master classes, taking Silver in the Open Weight Gi division and Bronze in Super Heavy Gi.
Ayden Ruesink (Adult 18 Light): Fought through a dense bracket to secure a Bronze medal in Gi.
Autumn Schlievert (Adult 18): At just 17 years old, the rising star stepped up to challenge the adult divisions, putting forth a notable and highly competitive effort in both the Feather Gi and Open Weight Gi brackets.
White Belt
Baylen Luu (Adult 18 Heavy): Executed a flawless tournament run, capturing double Gold in both the Gi and No-Gi divisions.
Lori Shannon (Master 51): Delivered an outstanding performance in the Gi division, with Gold in the Open Weight division alongside a Silver medal in the Rooster weight category. No small feat for a first-time competitor, stepping up to represent!
Youth Divisions
Constantine Goulas (Blue Belt / Juvenile 16–17 Light): Represented Canada’s next generation on the international stage, capturing a Silver medal in No-Gi.
Congratulations to all the athletes, coaches, and support teams who represented Canada with distinction in Tokyo. Full official brackets and team point allocations can be verified via the SJJIF Results Portal.
Grandmaster Marcus Soares
Canada’s Foundational Figure in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Grandmaster Marcus Soares is recognized as a central figure in the development of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Canada and the nation’s only Red Belt Grandmaster. His decades of leadership and instruction helped establish the art across the country.
A legacy that defines Canadian Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
NEWS
SJJCANF Announces International Media Partnership with JiuJitsu Magazine
The Sport Jiu-Jitsu Canada Federation (SJJCANF) is pleased to announce that JiuJitsu Magazine, one of the world's leading Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu publications, has partnered with the Sport Jiu-Jitsu International Federation (SJJIF) to provide international coverage of SJJIF events worldwide.
This partnership represents an important step forward for the growth and visibility of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Canada.
Through this collaboration, SJJCANF events and athletes will benefit from increased international exposure, including:
Coverage of SJJCANF-sanctioned events
Recognition of Canadian athletes, coaches, and academies
Event results and championship highlights
Features on outstanding performances and athlete achievements
International promotion of Canadian Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Beginning with the 2026 Canadian Open, Canada's premier SJJIF-sanctioned Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu championship, JiuJitsu Magazine will help showcase Canadian athletes and events to a global audience.
The Canadian Open will also mark a historic milestone as Canada's first nationally recognized Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu championship under SJJCANF, with National Champions earning recognition both nationally and internationally.
This partnership reflects SJJCANF's commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for athletes, supporting academy development, and strengthening the pathway from local competition to international recognition.
As the National Sport Organization for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Canada under the Sport Jiu-Jitsu International Federation, SJJCANF remains dedicated to growing the sport and providing Canadian athletes with opportunities to succeed on the world stage.
The future of Canadian Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is being built today.
Be part of the movement.
Be united for BJJ.
Help showcase Canadian Jiu-Jitsu to the world.
Event Calendars
Sport Jiu-Jitsu Canada Federation (SJJCANF) operates under the governance of the Sport Jiu-Jitsu International Federation (SJJIF)
All SJJIF-sanctioned events are listed on the international calendar, with Canadian events highlighted separately for national reference.
