Anna Mahtani talks to David ‘Malandro’ Onuma about his success at the IBJJF World Master Championship

Two men in martial arts kit holding on to each other — David ‘Malandro’ Onuma (right) in action at North 12 – (Credit – Anna Mahtani)

A martial arts instructor from Finchley has won gold in an international jiu-jitsu championship.

Medal-winner David ‘Malandro’ Onuma, 57, is the founder of North 12 academy on the High Road in North Finchley. “In terms of my age and my category? Winning the World Masters is the highest thing you can do,” he explains. “It was amazing.”

Taking place in August, the IBJJF World Master Jiu-Jitsu Championship is an annual international competition held in Las Vegas.

Competing in the medium-heavy category, David underwent multiple rounds of combat before defeating the reigning champion. “As soon as I step on the mat, the nerves completely go,” he says. “I’m almost like a machine. I know what they’re doing. I know what I’m doing. I see everything.”

Originally developed in Brazil in 1925 after a wave of Japanese immigration, Brazilian jiu-jitsu was only introduced to Britain in the 1990s. Over the past five years, it has been gaining in popularity in the UK.

Inspired by Japanese judo, this martial art focuses on submission fighting and ground-based training, known as “rolling”. “It’s not just the style, it’s about the culture that goes with it,” David explains.

Be it by improving confidence, wellbeing, mental health, or discipline, jiu-jitsu is an inclusive sport. With over 40 years of training, multiple championships, and seven different black belts to his name, David has dedicated his life to martial arts.

Because of his well-rounded combat style, a coach nicknamed him ‘Malandro’, the Portuguese word for cunning. He has worn it proudly ever since. Hoping to spread the sports that raised him, David created North 12 in 2018.

Operating six days a week, with 32 classes across a range of martial arts, the academy hosts lessons in multiple martial arts, with a woman’s only option available.

Around 450 members train in the purpose-built dojo, with ages ranging from four years to 65. “I want to give people the knowledge that they can become better versions of themselves,” David says. “Better martial artists. Better human beings.”

His teaching style is gentle yet disciplined, with David cracking jokes and demonstrating technique while his students watch with rapt attention.

Overall, David has competed in the World Master Championship four times. Returning this year after a ten-year break from the competition, he knew he had to win.

In the lead up to his competition, he trained for an extra two hours every day and paid special attention preparing his strategy. “It’s almost like studying for an exam,” he explains.

During the competition, members of the academy stayed up late to live-stream his fights despite the eight-hour time difference. “Everybody was rooting for me, and it was nice to not let them down,” he grins.

Returning from the US, David was surprised by his students with a celebration for his victory. “If I’m honest, the thing that I’m most proud of is that martial arts has helped actually build a community here.”

Always striving for more, David is already eyeing up two more competitions before the year ends.

To sign up for classes at North 12, go to: https://nth12.com/enquiries/

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