It is the end of an era in Grey Bruce County with the closing of Kilian Academy at the end of July 2024. Since 2019, Grey Bruce County has seen an unprecedented rise in the popularity of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, with coach Abrie Kilian at the centre of that rise. The influence Kilian has had on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the region will be sorely missed.
Program Director and Head Coach at Kilian Academy, Abrie Kilian relocated from South Africa, following his wife, Dr. Rochagné Kilian, recruited by Grey Bruce Health Services as an Emergency Physician. Coach Kilian established Kilian Academy in 2019 and successfully coached 13 athletes over the past three years to be crowned Canadian Champions. Kilian, himself a Canadian Champion in 2022 was a member of the 2011 and 2012 WKC Canadian Kickboxing and Karate Team.
Coach Kilian said that he is “Heartbroken to see the Academy close. Martial arts academies have become what churches have been in the past, that is, centres where people learn discipline, etiquette and important values that are in high demand within our community. I have poured my life into each athlete I have coached over the years and am honoured to have influenced each of those athletes, young and old. The relationships I built over the years, are relationships I will take with me for the rest of my life.”
Kilian’s achievement in coaching 13 Canadian Champions is the first of its kind within the Grey-Bruce’s martial arts community’s history, including phenomenal athletes such as Nick Mole, the Wildeboer brothers, Nick Foster, the Ward brothers, the Dixon brothers, Brad Robertson, Derrick Edmiston and many more. Over the past three years, athletes at Kilian Academy competed in 302 competition matches and were victorious in 59% of those matches, with a 61% submission rate. Kilian Academy athletes were also able to achieve a 61% take-down rate against their opponents, a remarkable achievement.
“I have always coached attitudes and used martial arts as my language of instruction. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has advanced to such a degree that most coaching across the world has become somewhat standardized. Athletes are physically well-conditioned and disciplined with their dietary plans, however, the difference between a champion and second place is the athlete’s attitude. At Kilian Academy, we have placed a large emphasis on athlete psychology which contributed to the success of our athletes. However, success is a delicate mathematical equation consisting of variables that include good coaching, dedicated smart athletes and a positive attitude.”
Kilian who was recently knighted for his contribution to the development of Métis jurisprudence will pursue a career in law, following his completion of his master’s in law and completing the National Committee on Accreditation for Internationally trained lawyers.
Kilian added that, “It’s a new season for both my family and I, and we hope that our athletes will continue to view themselves as the champions they were created to be. Every person in life is a champion: a testimony of the victory they achieved at conception. They are the champions and representatives of those they have beaten in the great race for life. Carry yourself as a champion and recognize others as the champion in their rights and never stop fighting for what is just and right.”
