RAJINDER CHARL
BIOGRAPHY
From a young age Raj had an active interest in sports and martial arts.
His journey into martial arts began aged 10 at a local Karate Club competing at a number of national events before switching to play football for his local team. At the age 15, he joined a local boxing and weight lifting gym and that would become his passion for many years. Mainly focussed on weight training, Raj would still often participate in boxing sessions mainly for its self defence and fitness benefits.
Following his passion, the opportunity came in 2010 to open his own fitness facility and able to see the benefits of strength training and martial arts, alongside his family, he created a facility dedicated to fitness and mixed martial arts. That centre became known as Lions Gym.
Once opened, Raj’s dedication to the club and his own martial arts journey would see him train daily, mainly in BJJ, participating and winning in competitions throughout the UK. He has been able to train with some of the best practioners in UK MMA and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and continues to train regularly with his instructors, Multiple World Champion, Braulio Estima as well as Professional MMA fighter, James Dixon.
As an owner at Lions Gym, his dedication and passion for excellence has seen him bring in some of the best martial arts instructors in the UK. These instructors have included World Champions, UFC fighters and the worlds biggest Brazilian Jiu Jitsu organisation, Gracie Barra.
As an instructor, Raj is dedicated to ensuring his students enjoy their martial arts journey and achieve all their goals in the sport.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Gracie Barra School Owner
Gracie Barra Black Belt under Prof. Braulio Estima
ICP Certified Instructor
NVQ Level 3 Personal Trainer
ACHIEVEMENTS:
British Open BJJ Medalist (Gi and No Gi)
IBJJF Medalist
Gracie Barra Compnet Winner
Multiple Regional Titles
COACH INTERVIEW
When did you start training in martial arts?
My real training and passion into martial arts came once we opened Lions Gym although I had done bits at a younger age.
What does your usual day consist of?
School Run, Train, Eat, School Run. Family time, Teach/Train, Eat, Relax.
How often do you train when not preparing for a fight and what changes during a fight camp?
When in competition, training would be daily, sometimes twice a day.
Favourite technique?
Triangle.
What does it mean for you to compete/fight professionally?
I enjoyed competing in BJJ but it was never professional.
What would you consider to be your biggest achievement in the sport so far?
Becoming an Instructor and a representative of the instructing team here at Lions Gym. When you are surrounded by World Champions, UFC fighters and Elite level athletes, the bar is set high! I have since been able to play a role in producing a number of competitors and champions in BJJ and MMA, which makes me incredibly proud.
How long have you been teaching martial arts and what made you want to become an Instructor?
Ive been teaching for a few years now, I never thought I would be at the level to be able to teach, but im very proud to be able to support my team on the mats.
Lastly, do you have any heroes?
My Family.