Matthew Cugola, Martial arts queensland

QUALIFICATIONS Photo's of Matthew Cugola

• NCAS Level 2 Coach Jujutsu. Australian Sports Commission.

• Level 1 Coach (TAFE CN418).

• Certified Instructional Skills (TAFE CN404).

• First aid & resus trained.

• Blue card issued by the Commission for Children & Young People

• 9 Years instructing at Police Citizens Youth Clubs.

• 5 years as a full time professional crowd controller & security guard.

• Instructing Martial Arts since 1996

Ranks

• 3rd Degree Black Belt Japanese Jujitsu.

• Purple Belt Machado Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. (coach Vince Perry) www.pumma.net

Competition record (recents)

• 2005 Australian Federation Brasilian Jiu jitsu Queensland Titles 1st Place 79-85kg (novice)

• 2006 Australian Federation Brasilian Jiu jitsu Australia Cup 1st Place U79kg Blue Belt Senior 1.

• 2007 Member of the Australian Jujitsu Team for the WCJJO World Championships. (Jersey Channel Islands)

• 2008 Will-Machado Asia Pacific BJJ Championships 2nd place 70-80kg Purple Belt.

MARTIAL ARTS HISTORY

Matthew began studying martial arts at the age of 10 in boxing and Karate. In 1988 he began working as a security officer and found the striking techniques of Karate weren’t appropriate to restrain and control people without causing injury. He began to look for a more rounded and flexible style that would allow him to control and restrain an adversary rather than by striking them. He found Jujitsu.

During this time Matthew was working in various nightclubs as a crowd controller. This gave him the opportunity to see which techniques were most effective in controlling and restraining intoxicated and aggressive people who were often larger and heavier than he was.

Matthew has attended many training days and seminars. This has so far included seminars by Wally Jay (10th Dan small circle jujitsu), Jan de Jong (9th Dan jujitsu), William Cheung (Wing Chun Kung fu), Rick Spain(Wing Chun Kung fu) and Don Jacobs (10th Dan jujitsu) John Will (Machado Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) amongst other notable martial artists.

Matthew is ranked Sandan under Shihan Jim Stackpoole of the Kyushin Ryu School of Jujitsu, Matthew still actively trains with Kyushin Ryu Jujitsu, Shodan at the International Fighting Arts Academy. He also attained the rank of 2nd bar Brown belt under Shihan Mark Haseman Tohkon Ryu Ju-Jitsu. Matthew is still actively learning from styles such as Machado Brazilian Jiu-jitsu where he is a Purple Belt in Machado Brazilian Jiu jitsu. (coach Vince Perry) and will continue to enhance and learn new skills and pass them on to his students.

In 2004, whilst rehabilitating himself from several injuries discovered the benefits of possessing a high level of fitness in staying injury free. He developed a keen interest in health and fitness and founded Martial Arts Qld to teach what he had learned.

Many people have helped and guided Sensei Matthew Cugola in his personal and martial arts development. In particular he would like to thank Sensei Adam Howard (Tohkon Ryu Ju-Jitsu) and Sensei Peter Hills (Korykan Aiki-Kenpo Ju-Jutsu). Their input, enthusiasm and assistance over the years has been invaluable. Also he would like to make a special mention to Sensei Mark Engelmann who has been a loyal student, great training partner and a good friend for a really long time (since 1994).