Instructors

OpenMat is proud to offer world-class instruction taught by highly trained, fun and caring instructors.

Professor Elliott Bayev / Brazilian jiu-jitsu

OpenMat’s founder and head BJJ instructor, Elliott Bayev is a champion competitor and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt under 3rd Degree Renzo Gracie Black Belt, Professor Shawn Williams of 5 Star Martial Arts in Los Angeles.

 One of the first people to train BJJ in Toronto, Elliott left his corporate life behind in 2004 to start the precursor to OpenMat and share the beauty and power of BJJ. Since then, in addition to becoming one of the mostly highly regarded instructors and competitors in Canada, Elliott has grown OpenMat into the warm, fun, welcoming MMA academy we see today.

Elliott brings his personal philosophy of compassion, unity and positivity to OpenMat, which you feel the moment you walk through our doors. Elliott’s ultimate vision is of a healthier, happier, united world and sees OpenMat as the prototype of the kind of business the world needs.

Thoughtful, articulate and fun, Elliott brings a beautiful vision and great attitude to OpenMat, helping make it a place we’re all proud to call home.

Competition Highlights

  • 2004 NAGA World Championships – Gold (blue)
  • 2004 Ontario Submission Wrestling Invitational – Gold (purple)
  • 2009 Ontario Open – Double Gold (purple)
  • 2009 Abu Dhabi Pro World Championship Canadian Trials – Gold (purple/brown/black division)
  • 2009 Represented Canada at Abu Dhabi Pro World Championships in Abu Dhabi, UAE (purple/brown/black division)
  • 2009 IBJJF No Gi Pan American Silver Medalist (purple)
  • 2010 Abu Dhabi Professional Canadian Trails Silver Medalist (brown)
  • 2011 Ontario Open Silver (brown)
  • 2012 IBJJF Toronto Open – Gold (brown)
  • 2012 Canadian FILA World Championships Trails – Gold (black)
  • 2012 Represented Canada at the FILA World Championships In Krakow, Poland (black)
  • 2013 IBJJF No Gi World Championships – Silver (black)
  • 2014 IBJJF No Gi Pans – Silver (black)
  • 2016 Ontario Open – Gold (black)
  • 2016 London Submission-Only Invitational Headline Fight – Draw (black)
  • 2017 Rickson Gracie Cup – Double Gold (black)
  • 2017 No Gi Pans – Silver (black)

Professor Val Ostanov / Brazilian jiu-jitsu & Wrestling

Professor Val Ostanov, OpenMat’s Head Wrestling Coach, is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt with over twenty years of Greco-Roman and Freestyle Wrestling experience in the former USSR. Val grew up wrestling and competing and brings an incredible depth of knowledge and experience to OpenMat’s wrestling and BJJ programs. Val brings to an intensity and toughness to his wrestling practices but also has a great sense of humour that ensure that the hard work is fun too.

On top of Professor Val’s impressive wrestling and BJJ credentials, he also has over 15 years of experience in the fields of nutrition, health and personal development and is the author of three books. Whether you’re looking for critical competition advice or equally critical nutrition advice, Val has a wealth of knowledge.

Competition Highlights

  • 2011 IBJJF No-Gi World Championship – Silver

Coach Taro Kurita / Brazilian jiu-jitsu & Personal Training

Coach Taro received his first fitness certification in 1994. Over the last two decades, Taro has built a reputation as a passionate and innovative personal trainer, strength coach, martial artist and fitness instructor.

Fields of Specialization:

  • Strength & Conditioning for Martial Arts

  • Bodybuilding and Physique Enhancement

  • General Fitness and Longevity

All of Coach Taro’s programs are influenced by a unique understanding of muscular relationships, function and posture. Clients experience improved resilience as they become stronger (learn more at Tarodo.com). Coach Taro currently holds a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Professor Elliott Bayev. Coach Taro works with both world-class and fledgling combat athletes as well as those seeking an edge on life. New challenges are always welcome!

Coach Carlos Quiñonez / Brazilian jiu-jitsu

Carlos Quiñonez has been practising Brazilian Jiu Jitsu since 2009. He was immediately hooked for a variety of reasons: the health benefits; the focus on technical detail over strength and power; the friendliness and camaraderie of those who practice the art; and its capacity to build and strengthen one’s character. To him, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has the power to change people so that they are healthier, kinder, and happier, and that’s what counts!

With a strong focus on the fundamentals, Carlos effectively breaks down even the most complex of techniques to their basic principles. An early riser, Carlos runs our morning BJJ classes and helps his students start the day off right.

Coach Trevor Johnston / Brazilian jiu-jitsu

Trevor has been with OpenMat for 7 years and is a brown belt under Professor Elliott Bayev. Trevor teaches the intermediate Gi classes. He is a frequent competitor on the local circuit and is known for his gentle personality but crushing style. His hobbies include playing open guard and touting the benefits of the head and arm triangle!

Competition Highlights:

  • 2016 Grappling Industries Absolute Division Champion (Purple Belt)

  • 2016 IBJJF Toronto Open – Silver (Purple Belt Medium Heavy)

Coach Denis Beenen / Brazilian jiu-jitsu

Denis began training at OpenMat in 2011 and is a purple belt under Professor Elliott Bayev. He has a strong passion for Martial Arts, Sports, and teaching. He has Degree’s in Kinesiology and Teaching from the University of Toronto. This has given him a strong understanding of how the human body moves and effective teaching methodologies. This combined with his life-long pursuit of knowledge makes Denis a very detail oriented coach! He is constantly searching for more knowledge and strives to stay up to date on the newest and latest evolutions in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. This has led him to travel the world and learn from some of the very best Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instructors. He is an avid competitor having competed all over the world.

Competition Highlights:

  • 2016 IBJJF NoGi Worlds – Bronze Medal (Purple Belt)

  • Grappling Industries – Multiple time Advanced Division Champion

  • Ontario Open – NoGi Medalist

  • NAGA – Multiple Time Expert Division Medalist

Coach Mike Fung / Brazilian jiu-jitsu

Coach Mike has been training since 2009 and is a Brown Belt in BJJ under Professor Elliott Bayev. He has completed a Masters Degree in Kinesiology and is currently pursuing a PhD in Epidemiology.

Coach JP Bui / Brazilian jiu-jitsu

Coming soon!

Coach Dan Davis /

Comming soon!

Coach Fred Boutillier / Muay Thai

Comming soon!

Coach Oliver Davis / Muay Thai

Comming soon!

Coach Aaron Ferguson /

Comming soon!

Coach Alec Nickalls /

Comming soon!

Coach Rodrigo Goncales /

Comming soon!

Coach Moe Sivagnanasunderam /

Comming soon!