Shimon Mochizuki
As of 2026, Danish BJJ black belt Shimon Mochizuki is Arte Suave's head coach, with a lineage through Leo Vieira.
Biography
Sources for this profile
BJJ Eastern Europe, “How To Survive Jiu-Jitsu as a Middle Aged Athlete,” by Shimon Mochizuki, 5 June 2024.(opens in a new tab)
A 2024 article credited to Shimon Mochizuki identifies him as a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt under Leo Vieira since 2008 and as Arte Suave's head instructor.
Where in the source: How To Survive Jiu-Jitsu as a Middle Aged Athlete — “Written by Shimon Mochizuki, BJJ Black belt under Leo Vieira since 2008, Head instructor at @artesuavedk”
Accessed:
BJJ Heroes, “Shimon Mochizuki,” no exact publication date shown; accessed 7 September 2026.(opens in a new tab)
Shimon Mochizuki was born in Gentofte, Denmark, on 6 February 1975.
Where in the source: Shimon Mochizuki Biography — “born on the 6th of February, 1975 in Gentofte, a suburb of Copenhagen, Denmark”
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BJJ Heroes describes Shimon Mochizuki as Danish, calling him the first Dane to receive a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt.
Where in the source: Shimon Mochizuki — first paragraph: “the first Dane”
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BJJ Heroes places Leonardo Vieira immediately before Shimon Mochizuki in its belt lineage and states that Vieira awarded Mochizuki's black belt in 2008.
Where in the source: Shimon Mochizuki Jiu Jitsu — “Romero Cavalcanti > Leonardo Vieira > Shimon Mochizuki”; Biography — “black belt ... awarded by ‘Leozinho’ Vieira in 2008”
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BJJ Heroes reported that Arte Suave had 230 members and 16 homegrown black belts in 2014.
Where in the source: Shimon Mochizuki Biography — “in 2014, had 230 members ... and 16 ‘homegrown’ black belts”
Accessed:
Arte Suave, “Om Arte Suave,” accessed 7 September 2026.(opens in a new tab)
Arte Suave's own history dates the club's start to 2002, after Shimon Mochizuki and a training partner had travelled weekly to Malmö to train because Denmark had no BJJ club at the time.
Where in the source: Arte Suave er en af de første BJJ klubber i Danmark — “Klubben blev startet i 2002 efter at Shimon Mochizuki og en træningspartner ... havde taget til Malmø en gang om ugen”
Accessed:
Arte Suave states that it is part of the CheckMat organization.
Where in the source: Arte Suave blandt de bedste i Europa — “Vi er en del af organisationen CheckMat.”
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Arte Suave, “Intruktører,” accessed 7 September 2026.(opens in a new tab)
Arte Suave's current instructor directory lists Shimon Mochizuki as its BJJ Head Coach.
Where in the source: Intruktører — “BJJ Head Coach / Shimon Mochizuki”
Accessed:
MMA Copenhagen, “Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: Interview med Shimon Mochizuki på BJJ Eastern Europe,” 24 April 2013.(opens in a new tab)
A 2013 interview introduction says Mochizuki began BJJ in Malmö under Peter Blackwell, travelled there weekly while practising in Copenhagen, helped Blackwell open a Copenhagen school, and later started his own academy when Blackwell withdrew.
Where in the source: Interview introduction — “He started BJJ in Malmø, Sweden, where Peter Blackwell has a academy ... Eventually Shimon helped Peter open a school in Copenhagen.”
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Mochizuki attributed Arte Suave's competitive culture to early teachers Peter Blackwell and Bobby Sundel and to giving students ample opportunity to train.
Where in the source: Question 1 — “We have always been a really competetive team, we got that from our first teachers Peter Blackwell and Bobby Sundel ... we make sure that they have the opportunities”
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Mochizuki described BJJ as a team sport and said Arte Suave combined a competitive environment with strong social ties and mutual support.
Where in the source: Question 4 — “I think that BJJ is a team sport, you wont get anywhere by yourself, so it is important that you have a good team, that supports you.”
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Mochizuki named Leo Vieira and Rico Vieira as the two strongest influences on his jiu-jitsu.
Where in the source: Question 8 — “the two people that had the biggest influence on my Jiu Jitsu is Leo Vieira and Rico Vieira.”
Accessed:
International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, “London International Open 2012” results; database final-result timestamp 15 May 2021.(opens in a new tab)
At the 2012 London International Open, Shimon Mochizuki placed first in the Master 2 male black-belt medium-heavy category while representing CheckMat.
Where in the source: LONDON INTERNATIONAL OPEN 2012 — MASTER 2 / MALE / BLACK / MEDIUM-HEAVY — “1 Shimon Mochizuki / CheckMat”
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International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, “European IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship 2012” results; database final-result timestamp 15 May 2021.(opens in a new tab)
At the 2012 European IBJJF No-Gi Championship, Shimon Mochizuki placed second in the Master 2 male black-belt medium-heavy category for CheckMat.
Where in the source: EUROPEAN IBJJF JIU-JITSU NO-GI CHAMPIONSHIP 2012 — MASTER 2 / MALE / BLACK / MEDIUM-HEAVY — “2 Shimon Mochizuki / CheckMat”
Accessed: