Head Coach at Kumite Combat Academy, Edinburgh
Mariusz Madej
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt under Roberto Atalla
of Rio Grappling Club
The Journey
His journey began in Poland around 1996, when he joined a local Aikido club. Although the club closed shortly after he started, his passion for martial arts had already taken hold. Determined to continue developing his skills, Mariusz moved on to Taekwondo, training under Sebastian Maniak, a multiple European Champion and World Champion in Taekwondo ITF & TI.
Later expanding his training into Boxing to gain a deeper understanding of striking, footwork, timing and distance under Andrzej Zieliński, a former coach at Wisła Kraków Amateur Boxing Club.
In approximately 2001, Mariusz had his first introduction to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. At the time, BJJ was still relatively unknown in Poland, with very limited opportunities for regular training. Nevertheless, the technical complexity and effectiveness of grappling left a lasting impression on him.
It wasn't until 2011, after moving to Scotland, that Mariusz was finally able to pursue Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu consistently, beginning regular training under the renowned martial artist Rick Young - one of the first British BJJ blackbelts and multiple IBJJF world champion.
What followed was years of dedicated training, competition, technical development and an ever-deepening passion for the art of grappling.
A defining milestone came in May 2024, when Mariusz was awarded his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt by Roberto Atalla of Rio Grappling Club — the culmination of more than a decade of dedicated BJJ training and a journey that had begun almost three decades earlier.
Competition Experience & Achievements
Alongside his progression through the ranks, Mariusz established himself as a successful Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Submission Grappling competitor, earning numerous medals at national and international events.
His achievements include:
Competition Achievements
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5× NAGA Gold Medalist
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5× Scottish Open Gold Medalist
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British Open Adult Gold Medalist
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IBJJF European Championship Bronze Medalist
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Abu Dhabi London Grand Slam Pro Medalist#
Referee Qualifications
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UKBJJA Certified Referee
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ADCC Qualified Referee
Safety & Safeguarding Training
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First Aid for Martial Arts
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Concussion and Head Injury Management in Martial Arts (CHIMA)
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Child Safeguarding In Martial Arts
Experience Beyond Competition
Mariusz's martial arts background extends beyond training and competition. Having also worked in the security industry in both London and Edinburgh, he gained practical experience in dealing with challenging situations, reinforcing his appreciation for awareness, self-control and the responsible application of martial arts skills.
Sharing the Journey at Kumite
Today, as Head Coach of Kumite Combat Academy in Merchiston, Edinburgh, Mariusz draws upon nearly 30 years of experience across Aikido, Taekwondo, Boxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
His coaching philosophy is built around strong fundamentals, intelligent technique, continuous learning and creating an environment where everyone feels welcome — whether they are stepping onto the mats for the first time or preparing for a major competition.
For Mariusz, martial arts are about much more than medals and belts. They are about developing confidence, resilience, discipline and a mindset that carries far beyond the training mats.
And when he's not teaching, training or analysing grappling techniques, you'll quite possibly find him enjoying some good reggae music.
Train with experience. Learn with purpose. Progress with Kumite.
YOUR MARTIAL ARTS
JOURNEY STARTS HERE
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