Instructors

All of our instructors have well over a decades worth of experience, are First Aid certified, have completed a Working with Children Check and hold various nationally and internationally recognised coaching accreditations

Ernest Lapornik

Gracie Jiu Jitsu 1st Degree Black Belt

Head Instructor - Hunter Valley Jiu Jitsu
 

Ernest is the Head Instructor at Hunter Valley Jiu Jitsu, bringing an extensive martial arts background and over 18 years of experience to the academy. He began training under renowned instructor Luke Beston in 2007 and achieved the rank of Black Belt in May 2021.

Throughout his competitive career, Ernest earned podium finishes at both State and National level events. While he still steps onto the mats to competes on occasion, his primary focus is now on developing successful, confident, and technically skilled students at Hunter Valley Jiu Jitsu.

Before transitioning to Brazilian/Gracie Jiu Jitsu, Ernest had already established himself as a highly proficient martial artist, holding ranks in both Kendo and Hapkido. He is also one of a select few coaches in Australia to be internationally certified in SAMBO by the International SAMBO Federation (FIAS)- a rare credential that further elevates the technical standard of instruction at the academy.

• Black Belt - Gracie Jiu Jitsu under Prof. Luke Beston

• Black Belt - Hapkido

• Shodan - Kendo

• Certified Instructor - Lamb Baton Method under Guro Ray Floro

• Level 1 SAMBO Coach - FIAS

• Senior First Aid (St John Ambulance)