Technical Director · Brown Belt · Renzo Gracie Lineage
Al-Hakam Elwany has trained at the Renzo Gracie Blue Basement in New York since 2011, under John Danaher, alongside Garry Tonon, Gordon Ryan and GSP. More than a decade in that basement, under Professor Rafael Costa, leaves a mark on how a person sees the sport.
He earned his brown belt in May 2024. Along the way he’s taken two IBJJF silver medals.
When he’s in Erbil, he’s on the mats. He ran the first blue belt promotions the academy ever held, in 2023, and he’s led more than ten promotions and seminars and taught more than twenty classes here. His visits raise the level of the whole room every single time — the technical standard of Team Elwany is built on what he brings home.
Co-founder of the academy, and the engine behind its technique.