John Will has achieved one of the martial arts world’s most prestigious recognitions – promotion to coral belt. The historic promotion was conducted by his longtime mentor and friend, Rigan Machado, marking another milestone in Will’s extraordinary journey from curious martial artist to global BJJ legend.
Will’s ascension to coral belt status represents the culmination of a remarkable martial arts odyssey that began in his youth in Geelong, Victoria. As a member of the legendary “Dirty Dozen” – the first twelve non-Brazilians to receive black belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu – Will has long held a unique position in the art’s history. Remarkably, he is credited with coining the very term “Dirty Dozen” that has become synonymous with BJJ’s international pioneers.
The relationship between Will and Machado stretches back to the late 1980s, when a young Will invested heavily in private lessons at the Gracie Academy in Torrance, California. At $100 per lesson – an astronomical sum at the time – Will borrowed money from friends to fund what would become a life-changing encounter. On his fifth and final lesson, he met Rigan Machado, who was substituting as an instructor.
Despite facing a significant language barrier, with Machado speaking no English at the time, the two martial artists connected through their shared passion for the art. This chance meeting blossomed into a lifelong friendship and training partnership that has endured for over three decades. Will has often reflected on how he initially didn’t grasp Machado’s legendary status within the BJJ community, simply viewing him as a dedicated training partner and friend.
Will’s path to this coral belt promotion was far from conventional. His martial arts journey took him across Southeast Asia for eight years, where he immersed himself in various traditional fighting systems. During this period, he became the first non-Indonesian to capture the World Silat Championship in Jakarta in 1982, demonstrating his exceptional grappling abilities even before discovering Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Beyond his technical achievements on the mat, Will demonstrated remarkable entrepreneurial vision in promoting martial arts throughout Australia. After facing criticism for advocating cross-training between different martial arts disciplines – then considered controversial – he founded Blitz magazine. Starting with basic equipment including a Commodore 64 computer, the publication became a phenomenal success, selling 12,000 copies of its inaugural issue and eventually dominating the Australian martial arts media landscape.
Will’s influence as an instructor extends far beyond traditional boundaries. His teaching repertoire spans from children’s classes to specialized training with special operations forces, showcasing his ability to adapt Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instruction to vastly different audiences and requirements. This versatility has made him one of Australia’s most respected martial arts educators.
The coral belt promotion recognizes not only Will’s technical mastery but also his philosophical approach to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He has consistently emphasized the art’s multifaceted nature, viewing it as simultaneously offering self-defense capabilities, competitive sport opportunities, valuable life lessons, and an endlessly evolving intellectual challenge that can engage practitioners throughout their lives.
Will’s legacy in Australian Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is evidenced by the caliber of black belts he has produced. Notable students include UFC veterans George Sotiropoulos, Elvis Sinosic, and Anthony Perosh, each of whom has carried forward Will’s teachings to achieve international recognition in mixed martial arts competition.
From his base in Geelong, Will continues to teach and conduct annual instructional tours throughout the United Kingdom, maintaining his commitment to spreading Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu knowledge globally. His promotion to coral belt serves as recognition of his pivotal role in establishing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a major martial art throughout the Australasian region.
This latest achievement cements Will’s position among Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s most influential figures, honoring a career dedicated to advancing the art through thoughtful instruction, international promotion, and an unwavering commitment to technical excellence. The coral belt represents not just personal achievement, but acknowledgment of Will’s contributions to transforming Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from a relatively unknown Brazilian martial art into a global phenomenon.
