Ahmed Elwany
Ahmed Elwany co-founded Team Elwany in Erbil, bringing lessons from New York to local classes, competition teams and free youth seminars.
Biography
Sources for this profile
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Erbil — Renzo Gracie Team Elwany — Team Elwany original academy page(opens in a new tab)
The academy recalls that just one student attended its first class in September 2020.
Where in the source: Opening About paragraph.
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The brothers opened their school with a direct affiliation to the Renzo Gracie Academy in New York.
Where in the source: About section, paragraph beginning Team Elwany was founded.
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The school’s current account reports about seventy regular trainees and nearly three hundred people having trained there in total.
Where in the source: Opening About paragraph, Today around 70.
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Elwany says he created the academy because BJJ had changed his life and he wanted people of different ages, religions and nationalities to benefit.
Where in the source: About paragraph beginning Ask Ahmed why.
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His academy describes training trips to New York approximately every five months, lasting around six weeks, followed by bringing the new material back to Erbil.
Where in the source: Second About paragraph, Ahmed travels to New York.
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Classes run in English, with coaches translating into Arabic or Kurdish when needed.
Where in the source: About paragraph beginning That’s how the room looks now.
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The academy describes its student group as including Kurdish locals, Arab Iraqis, expatriates and people from the oil and diplomatic communities.
Where in the source: About paragraph beginning That’s how the room looks now.
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Ahmed Elwany — Head Coach, Renzo Gracie Purple Belt – RENZO GRACIE TEAM ELWANY — Team Elwany original academy page(opens in a new tab)
Ahmed Elwany began BJJ in 2014 at UMA Academy in Ukraine.
Where in the source: First biography paragraph.
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In 2016 he received his blue belt from Roberto “Cyborg” at Anubis Martial Arts Academy in Egypt.
Where in the source: Second biography paragraph, In 2016.
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After returning to Erbil, he co-founded Team Elwany with his brother Al-Hakam in September 2020 while still a blue belt.
Where in the source: Second biography paragraph, Then he came back to Erbil.
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He received his purple belt from Rafael Costa at Renzo Gracie headquarters in New York in 2023.
Where in the source: Final biography paragraph, In 2023.
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Coach Ahmed Returns from NYC – RENZO GRACIE TEAM ELWANY — Team Elwany original academy page(opens in a new tab)
In May 2025 the school reported his return from a month at Renzo Gracie headquarters, bringing spider-guard material learned under Rafael Costa back to his classes.
Where in the source: Coach Ahmed Returns from NYC, opening body paragraphs.
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Instructors – RENZO GRACIE TEAM ELWANY — Team Elwany original academy page(opens in a new tab)
Elwany is the head coach of Renzo Gracie Team Elwany in Erbil.
Where in the source: Ahmed Elwany named instructor card and introductory paragraph.
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Intermediate Class – RENZO GRACIE TEAM ELWANY — Team Elwany original academy page(opens in a new tab)
He teaches the intermediate class by linking foundational positions into attacks, submissions, new guards and counters.
Where in the source: First two paragraphs, Ahmed Elwany leads this class.
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No-Gi Class / Wrestling – RENZO GRACIE TEAM ELWANY — Team Elwany original academy page(opens in a new tab)
He also runs no-gi sessions that combine takedowns, wrestling and submissions without jacket grips.
Where in the source: Opening two paragraphs, Ahmed Elwany runs this class.
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Team Elwany Makes History at AJP Tour Jordan: A Milestone for Iraqi Jiu-Jitsu – RENZO GRACIE TEAM ELWANY — Team Elwany original academy page(opens in a new tab)
He prepared Mohammed Abdulkereem, Rami Daood and Zain Daood for the 2024 AJP Tour event in Jordan, assisted by Ali Alabed.
Where in the source: Opening named athletes and final paragraph, Guided by Head Coach Ahmed Elwany.
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Youth Development Weekend: Academies from Across Iraq Gather in Erbil – RENZO GRACIE TEAM ELWANY — Team Elwany original academy page(opens in a new tab)
In September 2025 he led a free three-day youth seminar at Team Elwany for under-sixteen, under-seventeen and under-eighteen athletes from academies across Iraq.
Where in the source: First two body paragraphs and paragraph beginning The event was completely free.
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The youth sessions concentrated on transitions, guard passing and sweeps.
Where in the source: Second body paragraph, Over the three days.
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Kids BJJ in Erbil — Ages 8 to 14 – RENZO GRACIE TEAM ELWANY — Team Elwany original academy page(opens in a new tab)
He is among the coaches teaching the academy’s programme for children aged eight to fourteen, alongside Hiba Elwany, Stefanos Kostikidis and Ahmed Saradar.
Where in the source: Opening age range and paragraph beginning The class is coached by.
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AJP Tour, Renzo Gracie | Team Elwany, public club13309(opens in a new tab)
AJP’s public club directory identifies Ahmed Elwany and Al-Hakam as the people in charge of Renzo Gracie Team Elwany in Erbil.
Where in the source: Person in charge, Ahmed Elwany / Al Hakam.
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Lineage
No teaching connections are shown on this page.
Open lineage