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Norman 'chef' Wessels

@chef_ffm

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Co-founder, coach & gracie barra blackbelt @fightfitmilitia @gracie_barra_sunninghill, vegan chef & athlete travelling through nature

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🥳 Happy Birthday, Professor Norman “Chef” Wessels! 🥋

Thank you for your leadership, wisdom, and the legacy you continue to build through our community. Here’s to another year of growth, impact, and making Jiu-Jitsu better for everyone around you.

Happy Birthday from the entire QuanWessels community.

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How it started vs how it’s going…

⬛️🟫🟪🟦⬜️

My martial arts journey began in South Africa with MMA, boxing, Muay Thai and wrestling. Just before moving to London, our gym affiliated with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and I arrived here with a few stripes on my white belt and absolutely no idea where the road would lead next. 🥋

It took me about a year and a half to find the right place to train. Then I found Roger Gracie Academy, and I’ve been training there for 10 years! 🇬🇧

From the beginning, the standard was different. The room was honest, the level was relentless, and every session demanded something from you. At RGA, it does not matter what you do outside the academy. Job titles, spreadsheets, stress and life’s complications all disappear when someone is trying to strangle you or break your arm. You simply have to stay calm, think clearly and solve the problem in front of you. ♟️

That is one of the greatest lessons Jiu-Jitsu has given me.

Every belt in these photos represents years of work, setbacks, injuries, difficult rounds, small improvements and the people who kept pushing me forward. The classes became a shark tank, and I am grateful to everyone who never took it easy on me. Together, we make each other better. 🦈

Receiving my black belt from Roger Gracie himself is an honour that is difficult to put into words. To be part of the academy, the lineage and the legacy that Roger and Mauricio have built in the UK means more to me than the belt alone. 🔥

A huge thank you to my coaches in South Africa, and every coach and savage training partner at RGA who played a part in this journey. 🖤

The belt is new. The work continues.

See you on the mats!

@rogergracie
@mauriciogomes.bjj
@rogergracieacademy
@smithgy
@quanwessels
@richiequan
@chef_ffm

#BJJBlackBelt #RogerGracieAcademy #BrazilianJiuJitsu #BlackBeltJourney #HowItStartedVsHowItsGoing

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At our UN Side Event Connected Pathways we were inspired by the work of @tribemartialartsfoundation, presented by Norman “Chef” Vessels @chef_ffm.

Founded in 2019, TRIBE responds to urgent community needs in underserved South African neighbourhoods — offering accessible self-defence training and empowerment programmes for women, girls, boys and youth facing violence, inequality and limited opportunities.

Through structured martial arts training, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, self-defence education and mentorship, TRIBE builds resilience, confidence and real-world skills that go far beyond the mat. Its holistic approach tackles gender-based violence, supports personal growth and opens pathways to leadership, education and economic opportunity.

This is martial arts as empowerment — equipping communities to break cycles of violence, elevate new leaders, and create lasting social impact.

#MartialArtsForDevelopment #CommunityEmpowerment #SportForGood #SDGs #UnitedNations ConnectedPathways

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This moment says it all — belief, gratitude, and growth.
Your support helps us create spaces where young athletes are seen, guided, and believed in.

Our youth development sports programme gives children the tools to believe in themselves, on and off the mat.

We are seeking like-minded corporates and individuals to partner with us in expanding this impact — one child, one community, one story at a time.

#tribeimpact #csi #youthdevelopment #sport #bjj

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Whether it’s your first class or your hundredth, our coaches are there every step of the way — guiding, supporting, and celebrating your child’s growth. 💯✨

Join the QW Tribe today → quanwessels.co.za/free-trial

#QuanWessels #BJJ #MMA #SouthAfrica #BrazilianJiuJitsu #MMATraining #BJJFamily #MartialArtsLife #BJJCoaches #MMAFighters #BJJSouthAfrica #MMASouthAfrica #BJJCommunity #FightForGrowth #TrainForLife

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💻 Train smarter. Improve faster. Anytime, anywhere.
QuanWessels Infinity gives you access to world-class BJJ, MMA and Muay Thai instruction from Richie Quan, Norman Wessels, and top athletes and coaches from QuanWessels — right at your fingertips.
🚀 Start your journey today.
🔗 Infinity.QuanWessels.co.za

#QWInfinity #BJJTraining #LearnBJJ #TrainAnywhere #FightIQ #MMA #Grappling #NoGiBJJ #BJJLife #MartialArtsTraining #MMAFighter

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Full mats for kids class today!

#virtues #quanwessels #bjjkids

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Hard years getting here, big thumbs up to my mates at @quanwessels Special mention to @chef_ffm @chad_superman for keeping me accountable, no easy days. Big Ahoi to my brothers on & off the mats @lord_fatboi @kirkbloomer. Shoutout to my brother & Day 1 @aggro_panda10 👏🏿

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From Lekki with love.
The Prince of Lagos.
Nigerias adopted son.

"Winter is coming"

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Thank you to @quanwessels for having me for a great time on mats preparing for #EFC122

Thank you to all the training partners that had to suffer through partnering up with me🤣
If you know you know 🔪🔪
#sorrynotsorry
#fightcampmemories

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3 years a black belt 🥋

This day in 2022 I received my Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt from my professor @richiequan & @chef_ffm under the lineage of @cobrinhacharles 🏆 truly one of the greatest achievements of my life.

Truly begin again at black belt, feel like I started from scratch and have found this part of the journey the most fulfilling as I get to impart the years of knowledge onto my students.

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Fan art from one of the biggest personalities in the QW community! Thank you @obakeng.moroe!

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