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Carl Varel

Westbay’s founder connects his training under Olavo Abreu with teaching in Mumbai.

Biography

Westbay Jiu-Jitsu in Mumbai identifies Carl Varel as its founder and head coach, and a black belt under Olavo Abreu. In January 2022, he represented Temple Jiu Jitsu at the ADCC India Open in Goa, taking first in professional male −55kg. The written introduction to an April 2023 MADtherapy Sessions episode described him as Westbay’s founder and a purple belt. The school’s programme starts with fundamentals and adapts gi techniques to training without the jacket. Open mats let students choose what to practice and analyse; invitation-only competition sessions use rounds from specific positions and live sparring. Beach sessions require adjusting movement to sand. Wolfden’s practitioners describe learning, training and competing under Varel at Westbay and Olavo Abreu. Their own programme includes jiu-jitsu with and without the gi, for both competition and self-defence. In July 2024, Robin Behl told Mid-Day that he had taken actor Sharvari to meet Varel, his teacher, while preparing her for Alpha. He wanted her to experience grappling, clinching and takedowns, and observe how athletes move.

Sources for this profile

  • Sonia Lulla, Mid-Day, July 2024.(opens in a new tab)

    • In July 2024, Robin Behl identified Varel as his teacher and described introducing actor Sharvari to him while preparing her for Alpha. He wanted her to experience grappling, clinching and takedowns, and observe how athletes move.

      Where in the source: Behl’s account of the meeting.

      Accessed:

  • Westbay, About.(opens in a new tab)

    • Westbay identifies Varel as its founder and head coach, and a black belt under Olavo Abreu.

      Where in the source: Carl Varel’s coach biography.

      Accessed:

  • Westbay, Classes.(opens in a new tab)

    • Westbay’s programme moves from fundamentals to adapting gi techniques for no-gi. Open mats permit self-directed practice and analysis; invitation-only competition sessions emphasize positional sparring and live rounds. Beach sessions require adjusting movement on sand.

      Where in the source: All five class descriptions.

      Accessed:

  • Wolfden Jiujitsu.(opens in a new tab)

    • Wolfden’s practitioners name Varel at Mumbai’s Westbay and Olavo Abreu as their coaches for learning, training and competition. The group’s own programme encompasses gi and no-gi jiu-jitsu for sport and self-defence.

      Where in the source: Leadership and programme sections.

      Accessed:

  • ADCC, India Open 2022.(opens in a new tab)

    • Varel placed first for Temple Jiu Jitsu in professional male −55kg at the ADCC India Open in Goa in January 2022.

      Where in the source: Complete professional −55kg results.

      Accessed:

  • MADtherapy Sessions.(opens in a new tab)

    • MADtherapy Sessions’ April 2023 episode description introduced Varel as Westbay’s founder in Mumbai and a purple belt.

      Where in the source: Written guest description; 10 April 2023.

      Accessed:

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Open lineage