Our Team

Instructors

Justin Lau

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Submission Grappling

Justin is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Professor Michael Aviado/Professor Marco Costa. Justin is passionate about combat sports and often competes in Jiu-Jitsu. Justin leads the BJJ Program at Junction Academy. Justin holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Wilfrid Laurier University.

Justin is an active coach, competitor, and referee where he achieved:

  • ADCC Certified Referee

  • Ontario Provincial Jiu Jitsu Championship Champion (2022 - Masters)

  • No Gi World Championship Medalist (2018 - Masters)

  • IBJJF No Gi Pans Champion (2017 - Masters)

  • OJA Certifed Referee

Annie Le

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Submission Grappling

Annie is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Brown Belt instructor under Professor Aviado. Passionate about teaching the sport as well as self-defense, Annie leads the Women's and Kids BJJ Program at Junction Academy. Annie holds a bachelor's degree in philosophy, masters in digital media, and is a PhD Candidate in Computer Science (working on using predictive modeling to forecast injuries in pediatric athletes)

Annie has been an active competitor since 2017, where she achieved the following successes:

  • 2022 Godai Open - Double Gold (Weight & Absolute)

  • Next Gen Toronto Jiu Jitsu Gold Medalist (2022)

  • Ontario Provincial Jiu Jitsu Gold Medalist (2021) 

  • 3X Canada National Pro Gold Medalist (2018, 2019, 2020)

Val Ostanov

Wrestling

Professor Val Ostanov is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt with over 20 years of Greco-Roman and Freestyle Wrestling experience. Val leads the wrestling program at Junction Academy. Val grew up wrestling and competing and brings an incredible depth of knowledge and experience to NoGi Grappling and Jiu-Jitsu. 

  • 2nd Degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt

  • 25+ Years of Greco-Roman and Freestyle Wrestling

  • 2011 IBJJF No-Gi World Championships – Silver Medalist

Morgan Ceh

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Morgan is Junction Academy’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu blue belt. Morgan fell in love with martial arts early in life and is passionate about passing on his knowledge. He is a frequent competitor in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and finds that it is a great way to improve his knowledge, confidence, and technical skills. Morgan assists with the Kids BJJ Program at Junction Academy. 

Morgan is an active competitor and is a Grappling Industries Toronto Medalist (2022)

Shahin Safakhoo

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Submission Grappling

Shahin is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Purple Belt instructor under Professor Lin. Shahin is energized by the exploration of the mind-body connection through martial arts and taking a strategic & thoughtful approach to martial arts practice. Shahin holds a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering and an MBA with a specialization in strategic management.

Shahin is a hobbyist, an active instructor and has competed at every belt level.

Rocky Rattanvong

Mixed Martial Arts, Submission Grappling

Rocky is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Blue Belt under the instruction of Marcus Kumala who recently was awarded his Black Belt from the ADCC Veteran/ UFC Welterweight Gunnar Nelson. Rocky has an extensive background in Martial Arts starting at the age of 15, specializing in striking arts and is an active MMA fighter and Submission Grappler. Rocky has a diploma in Music Industry Arts and is responsible for production/sound engineering releases under his own record label.

Joy Zhang

Yoga and Mobility

Joy is a certified Yoga Instructor who was trained at Holistic Bodyworx in Mississauga. She has been a yoga enthusiast since the age of 14 and loves to attend yoga classes everywhere she goes to learn new teaching techniques and stay strong in her practice. At Joy’s classes, you’ll notice an emphasis on both physical and mental well-being, as well as cueing and adjustments to make the class suitable for yogis of all levels. Her primary goal is to use yoga to make students feel better inside and out, and achieving certain poses/postures is secondary.

Joy holds a Masters of Accounting from the University of Waterloo and is a CPA by profession. Outside of work, she stays active through recreational sports including dragon boating, curling, ballet, and recently, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu!  

Tenzin Druktse

Strength and Conditioning, Personal Training

Tenzin is a nationally ranked powerlifter and personal trainer specializing in strength training. His clientele includes both athletes and non-athletes, ranging in age from 12 to 55 years old. With over six years of experience, Tenzin has gained expertise in building strength and muscle through proper programming and athletic mechanics. Tenzin holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from Toronto Metropolitan University.

He will be creating and leading a strength and conditioning program specifically designed for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ).

Some of Tenzin’s achievements include:

  • Certified PT (ISSA)

  • Certified Nutritionist (ISSA)

  • 2018 Cobourg – 2nd (Jr)

  • 2020 SW Championship – 1st (overalls), 1st (Jr)

  • 2023 WRPF-CAN – Royal City Rumble – 1st (93kg open)

  • 2023 WRPF-CAN – Torque Powerlifting Open – 1st (Jr) 2nd (Open)

  • Rank 30th all time CAN Jr (83kg)

Joshua Pickard (JP)

Personal Training

JP is passionate about sporting performance and injury prevention. He is a certified personal trainer in Canada, and has worked as a licensed physiotherapist specializing in orthopaedics in his home country of England. He is looking forward to re-certifying as a physiotherapist here in Canada. Having a background in high impact and endurance sports in the UK, JP especially loves working athletes of all levels and sporting ability. JP's approach is evidence-informed, friendly and collaborative.

He specializes in:

- Strength & conditioning training

- Flexibility & stability

- Client education

- Soft tissue massage

- Taping

Operation Guru’s

Callum Bridges

Gym Operations and Customer Relations

Callum is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu White Belt at Junction Academy who has been training under Justin and Annie for the past few months. He grew up playing a variety of sports, including competitive hockey and rugby, as well as being an avid fan of camping and hiking. Callum handles the Operations and Memberships at Junction Academy and would be happy to assist you if you have any questions or inquiries. Callum holds a bachelor’s degree in Environment and Business and is currently pursuing a Masters in Sustainability Management at the University of Waterloo. Callum can be reached at cbridges@junctionacademy.ca.

Callum’s Achievements:

-        Employee of the Month (August and September 2023)

Pika

Academy Vibe Coordinator

Pika is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu White Belt at Junction Academy who has been training for the past three years. He grew up playing a variety of games, including fetch and find the mud pond, as well as being an avid fan of camping and swimming. Pika handles bringing positive vibes to Junction Academy MMA and would be happy to hear about your day or play soccer with you. Pika is pursing a bachelor’s degree in Ball Retrieval at Stan-fur-d University.

Pika’s Achievements:

-        Employee of the Month (July 2023)

Join us at Junction Academy