King Charles visited the Roger Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy in Hammersmith to discover how REORG uses martial arts training to assist military personnel, veterans and emergency service workers.
The charity provides BJJ instruction in supportive settings, helping those who serve or have served to address physical, mental and social difficulties.
During his time at one of the globe’s premier BJJ institutions, the King awarded a black belt to a member of the REORG team during a grading ceremony.
The visit highlighted how the sport offers a pathway to recovery and community for those facing life’s toughest challenges.
King Charles was presented with a white belt during his royal engagement.
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King Charles engaged in conversation with REORG participants to understand how the discipline assists serving personnel, veterans and emergency workers dealing with various challenges.
Sam Sheriff MBE, a Royal Marines veteran who holds a black belt and established the charity, accompanied The King as demonstrations took place on the training mats.
Beyond meeting those involved with REORG, the monarch also met students from across the academy’s membership, including young adults and participants from classes designed for those aged fifty and above.
The visit provided an opportunity to witness firsthand how the academy welcomes practitioners regardless of their age or experience level.
The King met with students from across the academy’s membership.
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The grading ceremony marked a significant moment for an Australian member of the REORG team who has dedicated more than ten years to practising Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
The King personally presented the black belt to the practitioner, who also serves as a trustee for the charity.
His journey with the sport has been particularly meaningful following his personal battle with cancer, with BJJ playing an important role in his recovery.
As a trustee, he has contributed to supporting others within the REORG community, embodying the charity’s ethos that no one should face life’s struggles in isolation.
King Charles visited the Roger Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy in Hammersmith to discover how REORG uses martial arts training to assist military personnel, veterans and emergency service workers.
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GETTY
REORG was established nine years ago by Sam Sheriff MBE, a Royal Marines veteran and BJJ black belt holder, founded on the principle that nobody should confront life’s battles alone.
The organisation operates through a nationwide network exceeding 200 partner academies, offering fully funded BJJ training alongside a welcoming community where participants can rebuild their confidence and discover renewed purpose.
The Roger Gracie Academy, founded in 2004 by ten-time world champion Roger Gracie and his father Master Mauricio Gomes, serves as headquarters for a global network of affiliates.
Mauricio Gomes, known as the “Godfather of British Jiu-Jitsu”, holds an eighth-degree black belt and has taught the discipline for over five decades.