Sensei Alex Roque

Sensei Alex Roque

Sensei Alex Roque - BJJ Black Belt & Head Instructor

Born: Porto Alegre, Brazil, January 31st, 1970

Introduction | Competitive Achievements | Training and Experience | Other Martial Arts | History and Bio

Personal Introduction

I started my martial art training when I was 5 years old in Brazil, but I didn't start training Brazilian Jiu-jitsu until I was living here in Canada at the age of 24 (1994). I originally trained and learned Brazilian Jiu-jitsu on my own by watching the Gracie's instructional videotapes, until in the fall of 1997 when I met Marcus Soares, 5th degree Black Belt from the Carlson Gracie Camp, who had recently moved to Vancouver. I started training under Marcus from then on, occasionally traveling to Vancouver for instruction, or bringing him here for seminars. I received my Blue Belt from Marcus in the fall of 2001. At each of my interactions with Marcus, I always received a flood of instruction that kept me occupied for many months. Later, in the fall of 2003, I parted company with Marcus and started training with heavyweight and absolute champion, Ze Mario "Esfiha". Esfiha is a 2nd degree Black Belt from the Roberto Travern Team, who is currently living and teaching Brazilian Jiu-jitsu at Niagara Falls. He visits on a regular basis a week at a time to teach, instruct and grade our students. Once I started training under Esfiha, I received my Purple belt from him in the fall of 2004. In 2008, I received my brown belt under Sensei Ricardo Carvalho from Team Edson Carvalho after winning a Bronze medal in the World Jiu-jitsu Championships.

Competitive Achievements

Silver Medal - 1976 State Championship - Kids Judo - Manaus, Brazil
Silver Medal - 1988 City Championships - Karate (Sparring) - Sao Paulo, Brazil
Gold Medal - 1989 ISKF Provincial Tournament - Karate (Sparring) - Calgary
Gold Medal - 1993 ISKF Provincial Tournament - Karate (Sparring) - Calgary
Silver Medal - 1993 ISKF Provincial Tournament - Karate (Forms) - Calgary
Gold Medal - 1994 ISKF Provincial Tournament - Karate (Forms) - Red Deer
Silver Medal - 1994 ISKF Provincial Tournament - Karate (Forms) - Red Deer
Silver Medal - 1997 Let's Roll III - Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (Freestyle) - Edmonton
Silver Medal - 2000 Showdown - MMA - Red Deer
Gold Medal - 2002 Mind-Body-Soul - Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (no-Gi) - Edmonton
Bronze Medal - 2002 Mind-Body-Soul - Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (Gi) - Edmonton
Bronze Medal - 2002 Grapple Mania - Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (Gi) - Edmonton
Bronze Medal - 2002 Grapple Mania - Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (no-Gi) - Edmonton
Silver Medal - 2002 Grappling Grand-Prix - Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (no-Gi) - Vancouver
Gold Medal - 2003 Behring Cup - Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (Gi) - Red Deer
Bronze Medal - 2006 Manitoba Open - Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (Gi) - Winnipeg
Silver Medal - 2006 Mind-Body-Soul - Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (Gi) - Edmonton
Gold Medal - 2006 Canada Cup Classic - Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (no-Gi) - Red Deer
Gold Medal - 2007 Arashi-Do Series 3 - Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (no-Gi) - Edmonton
Gold Medal - 2007 Heroes I - Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (no-Gi) - Red Deer
Gold Medal - 2007 Let's Roll BJJ Open - Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (Gi) - Edmonton
Gold Medal - 2007 Let's Roll BJJ Open - Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (no-Gi) - Edmonton
Gold Medal - 2007 Arashi-Do Series 4 - Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (Gi) - Edmonton
Gold Medal - 2008 Arashi-Do Series 1 - Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (no-Gi) - Edmonton
Gold Medal - 2008 Arashi-Do Series 2 - Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (no-Gi) - Edmonton
Gold Medal - 2008 Arashi-Do Series 3 - Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (no-Gi) - Edmonton
Gold Medal - 2008 Arashi-Do Series 5 - Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (no-Gi) - Edmonton
Gold Medal - 2008 Lethbridge - Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (no-Gi) - Lethbridge
Silver Medal - 2008 Mind-Body-Soul - Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (Gi) - Edmonton
Bronze Medal - 2008 World Jiu-jitsu Championships (Gi) - Brazil

   Gold Medals: 16
   Silver Medals: 9
   Bronze Medals: 5

Martial Arts Training and Experience

Judo Blue Belt - 1976
Shorin Ryu Karate Yellow Belt - 1979
Shotokan Karate Black Belt - 1995
Bisset Jiu-jitsu Orange Belt - 1995
Certified Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Instructor under Marcus Soares - 1998
Marcus Soares Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Blue Belt - 2001
Ze Mario "Esfiha" Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Instructor and Representative - 2003
Ze Mario "Esfiha" Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Purple Belt - 2004
Trained under Andre Cabrunco in Sao Paulo, Brazil from the Godoi-Brazilian Top Team Academy - 2003 to present
Trained by Sensei Ricardo Carvalho and Representing the Edson Carvalho Team - 2008 to Present
Edson Carvalho Brown Belt - 2008

Other Martial Arts Training and Experience

Boxing/Kickboxing - Sensei Gil Lafantaise, Ajarn Mike Miles - 1996 and 2003
Capoeira - Capoeira Ache Brasil - 1999 to 2000
Training Kickboxing under Ajarn Mike Miles - 2008 to present
Currently training MMA under instructor Jody Burke

History and Bio

In 1975, at the age of 5 I started training in Judo in Manaus, Brazil, with Mestre Andre and his brother Armandinho from the Gracie Academy.
In 1976 I received my Judo Blue Belt. Also in 1976, I participated in my first competitive event, the Kids Judo State Championships, placing in second overall.
In 1978 I started training in Shorin Ryu Karate in Ponta Grossa, Brazil, under the instruction of my father, Roberto Roque, who himself had received a Black Belt in the style in 1976.
In 1979, I received my Shorin Ryu Karate Yellow Belt from my father Roberto Roque.
In 1986 I started training in Shotokan Karate in Sao Paulo, Brazil, under Sensei Sasaki.
In 1988 I received my Green Belt in Shotokan Karate from Sensei Sasaki. Soon after, I moved back to Calgary.
In 1989 I continued my Shotokan Karate training under Sensei David Jones.
In 1994 I started training in Jiu-jitsu under Sensei Chris Bisset.
In 1995 I received my Black Belt in Shotokan Karate from Sensei David Jones.
In 1995 I received my Orange Belt in Bisset Jiu-jitsu from Sensei Chris Bisset.
In 1995 I started training in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu with my father Roberto Roque and with friends.
In 1996 I started the first Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Club in Calgary, originally named SAIT Groundfighting Club, later re–named Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Groundfighting Club, and finally, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Fight Club.
In 1997 I was the first person in Alberta to compete outside of the Province in a BJJ tournament at the Toronto Canadian Open Grappling Championships.
In 1997 I met and became an affiliate of Mr. Marcus Soares, 7th Degree Black Belt in BJJ from Vancouver.
In 1998 I brought Marcus Soares to Calgary and hosted the first ever Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Seminar in Calgary.
In 1998 I moved the Club to Mike Mile's gym.
In 1998 I held the first Club tournament in Calgary.
In 1999 the Club was hijacked from me by one of my students. As a result I had to re–start and re–build the Club from scratch.
In 2000, I joined forces with another grappling enthusiast, Ian McWalter, and together we built a strong following until Ian McWalter moved to Saskatchewan. I stayed behind and carried on with the Club.
In 2001 I was promoted to Blue Belt by Marcus Soares.
In 2003 I started training under Ze Mario "Esfiha".
In 2004 I received my Purple Belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu from Ze Mario "Esfiha".
In 2006 our Club dominated every tournament it entered, winning in the process 3 Gold Medals, 8 Silver Medals, and 4 Bronze Medals between only 9 competitors!
Again, in 2007 we dominated every tournament we entered, other clubs taking notice...
In 2008 we have established ourselves as the dominant BJJ club in the province, winning a record number of medals in over 13 tournaments we entered, our best year to date!
In 2008 I received my brown belt under Sensei Ricardo Carvalho from Team Edson Carvalho after winning a Bronze medal in the World Championships! This is not only my victory, but the Club's as well as we train and fight as a team!