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Two training partners meeting on the mat.Drawn in cream, forest green, and muted terracotta. People and objects are symbolic illustrations.
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Lee Tierney

Tierney’s school biography describes his focus on control, fundamentals and reading opponents’ reactions.

Biography

In 2021, Lee Tierney was among the practitioners telling the Gibraltar Chronicle why they wanted Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) training closer to home. They travelled weekly to Spain for classes with Jose Antonio Merida and hoped to open local practice to Gibraltar’s young people. Their account of learning involved discussing techniques with coaches and partners, trying them against resistance in sparring, and exploring ideas individually. By January 2024, Tierney was head coach at Angry Chill in the Jumpers Building. Getting the premises ready had taken the founding team nearly six weeks: mats were fitted over Christmas and New Year while licensing was awaited. First-aid, vetting and safeguarding preparations accompanied plans to teach across experience levels and offer women’s self-defense. The club also reported membership of the UK Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Association (UKBJJA) and affiliation with BJJ Globetrotters. Tierney’s school biography describes a focus on basic positions, transitions between them and submissions—finishing holds. His pressure passing involves getting past an opponent’s legs while keeping control, adjusting angles and pressure to their reactions. The school presents its cofounder and head coach as teaching children and adults with individual attention within a wider coaching team. In June 2026, Dualta Doherty credited Tierney with much of Connor’s martial arts development, particularly his BJJ foundations, pressure and positional control. Doherty also recognized the pupil’s wider team of no-gi grappling, mixed martial arts, kickboxing and boxing coaches. In October 2026, Tierney was still speaking as Angry Chill’s coach and instructor, assessing the team’s performance in Seville.

Sources for this profile

  • Chronicle, 25 June 2021.(opens in a new tab)

    • In 2021, a group including Tierney described weekly training in Spain with Jose Antonio Merida and wanted local practice open to Gibraltar youth. Their learning approach involved discussion with coaches and partners, testing techniques in live sparring and individual exploration.

      Where in the source: Group interview.

      Accessed:

  • Chronicle, 12 January 2024.(opens in a new tab)

    • The January 2024 report named Tierney head coach at Angry Chill, Jumpers Building. The founding team spent nearly six weeks preparing, fitting mats through Christmas and New Year while awaiting licensing. First aid, vetting and safeguarding preparations accompanied plans for mixed-experience sessions and women’s self-defence. The club reported UKBJJA membership and BJJ Globetrotters affiliation.

      Where in the source: Opening preparations.

      Accessed:

  • Angry Chill, coaches.(opens in a new tab)

    • His school biography emphasises fundamental positions, transitions and submissions. Tierney describes systematic pressure passing, maintaining control and adjusting pressure and angles to opponents’ reactions.

      Where in the source: Lee’s card.

      Accessed:

  • Angry Chill, school.(opens in a new tab)

    • The school identifies Tierney as cofounder and head coach, teaching children and adults with individual attention alongside its wider coaching team.

      Where in the source: Named biography.

      Accessed:

  • Chronicle, 8 June 2026.(opens in a new tab)

    • In June 2026, Dualta Doherty credited much of Connor’s martial arts development and BJJ foundations, pressure and positional control to Tierney. Doherty also acknowledged Connor’s wider no-gi, MMA, kickboxing and boxing coaching team.

      Where in the source: Doherty on Connor.

      Accessed:

  • Chronicle, 9 October 2026.(opens in a new tab)

    • The October 2026 report quotes Tierney as Angry Chill coach and instructor assessing the team’s Seville performance.

      Where in the source: Coach’s assessment.

      Accessed:

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