Mission

It is our mission to make real Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) accessible to everyone in Europe because we believe that in addition to being an effective art of self-defense and exciting combat sport it is also an enrichment to one’s life.

Vision

We promote our Jiu-Jitsu through Europe through the network of our participating schools and members. So that we can help them improve the quality of their lessons, professionalize their curriculum and give them easy access to the best Jiu-Jitsu instructors in the world.

Goals

Become the umbrella federation of European BJJ schools with our range of diverse tournaments, seminars, guest training, events and courses.
Ensure a quality standard in the field of teaching, grading and a safe environment for students.

Harold Harder

Founder EGJJF

Harold has been training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) or Rickson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu since 1996 under the direct tutelage of Rickson Gracie. Harold started with BJJ because he wanted to become a complete fighter. He was then already a black belt in Tang Soo Do and Taekwondo with experience in Boxing and Kickboxing.
Harold met Rickson Gracie in 1996 at a seminar in Paris. He was immediately impressed with the depth of detail within Rickson’s techniques.

The details that Rickson refers to as ‘Invisible Jiu-Jitsu’.
Since then, Harold has traveled regularly to LA, several times a year to train with Rickson. Harold is the only black belt in Europe to receive all his graduations directly from Rickson. Harold gives seminars in Rickson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu throughout Europe and has also helped several professional fighters in preparation for the UFC. Harold is now 4rd degree Black Belt directly under Rickson Gracie.
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Michel Verhoeven

Founder EGJJF

Michel has been training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) or Rickson Gracie Jiu Jitsu since 1999 under the leadership of Harold Harder. He started at the age of 13 as lightweight (62kg), it soon became clear to him how effective BJJ was. During international training sessions, hosted by Harold, Michel experienced how, by using technique alone, he was able to overcome other martial artists of even over 130 kg.

Due to many competitions (multiple European, Dutch, Benelux, German and Belgian champion) and through the promotion of the sport at home and abroad, Michel has more than enough experience to make every student extremely competent in Rickson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Michel has helped several famous fighters during their preparations such as Fedor Emilianenko, Antoni Hardonk, Bob Scheiber and Stefan Struve. Michel is active at European level as an instructor for the European Grappling & Jiu-Jitsu Federation and regularly organizes seminars and examinations throughout Europe. To keep his knowledge up-to-date, Michel trains regularly with Rickson Gracie himself, his son, Kron Gracie and Saulo and Xande Ribeiro..