My name is Ryosei Kurihara and I am the head instructor at Tauranga Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy.

I believe training BJJ can have a positive impact on anyone. From improving fitness and physical strength to building self confidence and providing meditative stress relief.

I love sharing the art with anyone that wants to learn and see what BJJ has to offer.

I started my Brazilian Jiu Jitsu journey in 2008 in Hamilton, New Zealand where I earned my blue belt under Pina Simpson of Southern Tribes.

I knew from day one that Jiu Jitsu was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life and I was committed to becoming the best Jiu Jitsu practitioner I can be. To do this I started to seek out the best training I could find.

This led me to living and training all around the world including Japan,  Brazil and England.

I have been lucky enough to train in many world class gyms including Tri-Force in Tokyo, Alliance in Rio De Janeiro and the Roger Gracie Academy in London.

I lived in Tokyo, Japan for 5 years where I received my purple and brown belt under Mitsuyoshi Hayakawa of Tri-Force Jiu Jitsu Academy.

I also spent 5 months in Rio De Janeiro training full-time where I spent most of my time at Alliance Rio led by Alexandre Paiva.

After Tokyo I moved to England where I trained at Mathouse in Reading and the Roger Gracie Academy in London.

After 11 years since starting my BJJ journey, I had the honour and privilege of receiving my Black Belt from Roger Gracie.