“Much more importantly, it’s establishment recognition of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a mainstream sport — no longer a niche activity.”

 

A lifetime dedicated to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, community development, and the advancement of the sport has been recognised at the highest level, as former UKBJJA Northern Ireland Director Robert Cullinan has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours.

The 2025 King’s Birthday Honours celebrated more than 1,200 individuals from across the United Kingdom for exceptional service and achievement. Among those recognised was Robert Cullinan of Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland, who received the British Empire Medal for services to Community Relations and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

For the UK Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Association, the honour represents not only recognition of Robert’s decades of dedication, but also a significant milestone in the continued growth and mainstream acceptance of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu throughout the United Kingdom.

Recognition for a Community Effort

Despite receiving one of the nation’s most respected honours, Robert remains characteristically humble about the achievement.

“I have no idea who proposed me,” he explained. “Proposals are always kept confidential, but Antrim & Newtownabbey Council and Sport NI both validated the proposal to the Cabinet Office in Downing Street as part of the official process.”

Robert is quick to point out that the award is not simply about individual achievement.

“To be totally honest, the acknowledgement of personal contribution is flattering, but much more importantly, it’s establishment recognition of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as a mainstream sport — no longer a niche activity.”

He believes the recognition sends a powerful message to the wider martial arts community and demonstrates how far the sport has progressed in the UK.

“The wider BJJ community nationally is delighted with this development as it breaks through the glass ceiling, and others will follow.”

Pioneering BJJ in Education

Among Robert’s most influential contributions has been his work helping to establish Brazilian Jiu Jitsu within formal education.

Northern Ireland became the first region in the UK to offer BJJ as a GCSE Physical Education option, a landmark achievement that has since influenced developments in other home nations.

“A small team of colleagues and I drove discussions with examination boards to adopt BJJ as a GCSE and Leaving Certificate-level PE option on the national curriculum,” Robert said. “Mainstream recognition in education, open to every child in Northern Ireland, and in Wales and Scotland also. This was a team effort — I’m just the pretty face on the poster.”

He also highlighted the contribution of former UKBJJA Director for Scotland, current UKBJJA Equalities and Welfare councillor and educator James McIntyre, whose teaching expertise helped shape the language and framework required to integrate BJJ into educational programmes.

Four Decades of Service Through Martial Arts

Robert’s martial arts journey began in 1981 at the age of 15. After spending 24 years in Japanese Jiu Jitsu and achieving 5th Dan Black Belt status, he discovered Brazilian Jiu Jitsu through the emergence of the UFC and embarked on a new path that would shape the rest of his life.

His commitment led him to Rio de Janeiro, where he trained at the legendary Gracie Humaitá academy with Royce and Royler Gracie.

Returning to Northern Ireland, Robert became one of the earliest adopters of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in the region. In 2002, despite already holding high rank in Japanese Jiu Jitsu, he made the decision to begin again as a white belt and dedicate himself fully to BJJ.

Over the following two decades he witnessed, and helped drive, the extraordinary growth of the sport across the UK.

“As an early adopter in 2002, I was there in the early days in Northern Ireland and have been privileged to watch the explosion in BJJ across the UK from the early days to what it is today.”

Using Jiu Jitsu as a Force for Good

Throughout his coaching career, Robert has championed Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as a tool for positive social change.

“I’ve trained relentlessly in varying forms of Jiu Jitsu for the last 45 years,” he said. “It’s the perfect vehicle to tackle bullying, sectarianism, racism, and violence against women and girls.”

Having coached thousands of practitioners over more than four decades, he credits the people he has worked with for the recognition he has received.

“I’ve had the privilege to coach literally thousands over 40-plus years, and every single person has helped contribute to this award recognition.”

A Champion of Governance and Development

Robert also served four years as UKBJJA Regional Director for Northern Ireland, helping strengthen governance, safeguarding, coaching development, event management and public relations within the sport.

Reflecting on that experience, he emphasised the importance of the governing body’s work.

“No-one, myself included, can appreciate the work the Governing Body does to advocate and develop BJJ until you become involved nationally,” he said. “The role in all the regions is vital to the protection and well-being of grassroots Jiu Jitsu.”

Robert also highlighted the impact that national recognition can have on future opportunities for the sport.

“Governmental recognition opens up funding support opportunities and the governing body, the UKBJJA, is helping raise everyone’s game across the board.”

Looking Ahead

For Robert, the award is not a culmination, but another step forward in the continued evolution of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

“The future for Jiu Jitsu, locally and nationally, is bright,” he said. “This award makes it shine a little brighter tonight.”

As the UKBJJA continues its mission to develop, regulate and promote Brazilian Jiu Jitsu across the United Kingdom, Robert Cullinan’s recognition serves as a powerful reminder of what can be achieved through dedication, leadership and service to others.

UKBJJA Chairwoman Lauren Brown commented:

“On behalf of everyone at the UKBJJA, we congratulate Robert on this richly deserved honour and thank him for his outstanding contribution to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, community relations, and the development of our sport.”