Professor Hasan holds a 3rd-degree black belt under Master Sid Jacintho and is certified by the IBJJF. He began his martial arts journey in 2001, starting with free-style wrestling before transitioning into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Raised in Abu Dhabi, he trained for over 13 years at the prestigious ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club), where he developed under a unified team of top-tier Brazilian instructors. These coaches were among the most highly selected BJJ practitioners globally, to lead ADCC’s official training programs. Their role was not rotational but collaborative, forming a stable, elite coaching unit that delivered a consistent, high-level curriculum. This environment played a central role in shaping Hasan’s technical depth, competitive mindset, and pressure-based grappling style.

After moving to New Zealand, he trained in several local gyms before founding Grappling-Lab under Sid Jacintho Jiu-Jitsu International Federation, who had been a core figure in the ADCC coaching team and continued to support Hasan’s journey throughout.

Today, Professor Hasan leads Grappling-Lab with a mission to offer authentic, high-level Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu while building a culture rooted in discipline, technical excellence, and community.

Coach Heba is an IBJJF-certified Black Belt who began her Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey in 2016. Trained directly under Professor Hasan using a high-pressure, old-school grappling style, she brings intensity, discipline, and real-world experience to her classes. Heba has competed in both local and international tournaments throughout her path to black belt, and now leads the women-only classes at Grappling-Lab with a focus on confidence, control, and technical precision. Her sessions offer a supportive environment tailored for women, whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned grappler.

Logan began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2016 at City Kickboxing, learning under five different instructors, each offering a distinct style and perspective. This diverse foundation gave him a broad, adaptable game and a dangerous presence from both top and bottom.

Logan is known for his highly technical approach, blending modern innovations with classical fundamentals in both gi and no-gi. Since joining Grappling-Lab in 2023, he has further refined his style under Professor Hasan’s elite pressure-based system. A passionate coach, Logan enjoys passing on his knowledge and helping teammates sharpen their skills. Off the mats, he’s a dedicated husband and a lawyer at one of New Zealand’s top law firms.

James has been coaching and studying the art of Muay Thai since 1999. In 2018, he developed a deep passion for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and has been fully committed to the grind ever since.

Known for his consistency and discipline, James trains daily regardless of circumstances. His game is solid, technical, and always evolving, driven by a hunger to learn and grow. Since joining Grappling-Lab in January 2024, he’s become one of the club’s most dedicated figures, often stepping into coaching roles and leading our holiday programs when needed.

Whether on the mats or in the corner, James brings energy, precision, and a no-nonsense commitment to development, both for himself and the team.

Daniel’s martial arts journey began with Muay Thai and boxing, where he built a strong foundation in striking. It was through Muay Thai that he was introduced to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, tagging along with a close friend to a class and quickly getting humbled by smaller, more experienced grapplers. That moment made it clear: BJJ was something worth mastering.

While his early BJJ years were on-and-off, it wasn’t until joining Grappling-Lab that Daniel found consistency and real progress. Now, he’s one of the team’s most dedicated members, always showing up, always pushing to develop his game. His No-Gi grappling is sharp and effective, with a distinct flavour drawn from his wrestling interests that adds pressure, movement, and unpredictability to his style.

Daniel is a committed teammate, constantly learning and grinding, with a humble attitude and a genuine love for the sport.

James brings a strong and diverse background to the mats, having trained in multiple martial arts and defensive tactics during his time in the army. After a false start pre-COVID, he officially began his BJJ journey in 2023 under Professor Hasan and quickly became hooked, drawn in by the art’s effectiveness and the welcoming, knowledge-sharing culture of Grappling-Lab.

Since then, James has stood out as a sharp, explosive, and technical grappler. His speed, strength, and pressure make him a tough opponent, while his disciplined mindset keeps him dialled in on continuous development. Beyond the rolls, James is known for his positive attitude and genuine care for his teammates, always offering support, guidance, and encouragement to newer members.

He’s a strong asset to the team, bringing intensity to the mats and helping maintain the family feel that defines Grappling-Lab.