Halifax MMA gym celebrates becoming champions
BMA Gym – Bajerski Martial Arts – started life as Citus MMA when it was founded in 2011 by head coach Nico Bajerski.
From humble beginnings with a piece of carpet and four punch bags, the recently-renamed BMA Gym at Ladyship Mills, Boothtown, is now one of the largest martial arts academies in the UK.
And to prove just how much this small-town gym is punching above its size, it recently won 16 gold medals to outclass 88 gyms from around the UK at the Brazillian Jiu Jitsu Tournament in Leeds, and has won the title Empire Champions. It will be presented with the trophy at the next competition in Manchester this March.
Nico, himself a renowned Martial arts coach, a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu who has trained many champions is proud of the hard work and dedication of his members, and the growing reputation of the gym – which competes with gyms in much bigger towns and cities.
“We have built it up over the past 10 years,” he says. “We have the one of the largest facilities for martial arts and one of the biggest squads in the UK with over 50 active competitors and one of the biggest junior teams as well.”
The gym takes boys and girls as young as three, and has students into their 60s. Most compete between the ages of 10 and 40.
Nico says BMA Gym is also a hub for the community and is well known for the physical and mental health and wellbeing of its members – even featuring on a Channel 4 paras production documentary where a few of the students talked about how the gym had saved their lives.
“We have hundreds of testimonials from children’s parents who were bullied who have come here and built up confidence and no longer get bullied at all.”
“We help everyone, no matter what their abilities and whether or not they want to compete. It’s a second family here and everyone at the gym is refreshingly friendly and welcoming.”