Head Coach
Nobel Lee
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black belt
TAEKWONDO 2nd dan BLACK BELT
hapkido 1st dan black belt
Nobel Lee is the Head Coach of our academy.
His introduction to martial arts occurred at the age of 17 when he became captivated by the flashy kicks of Taekwondo and thus began the start of his martial arts journey. He supplemented his training with Hapkido, and achieved the rank of 2nd degree black belt in Taekwondo and 1st degree Black belt in Hapkido.
Nobel’s curiosity for other styles of martial arts peaked when he started working in the security industry in Australia. In search for something more practical, he started training in Krav Maga.
In 2002, Nobel was introduced to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) through his Krav Maga instructor. He pursued BJJ briefly during this time and also competed in his first competition with mixed results.
Shortly after moving to Brunei in 2005, Nobel started playing rugby and was fortunate to also represent Brunei at an international level.
When BJJ was introduced in Brunei in 2010, Nobel’s passion for martial arts was revived. In 2012, he suffered a broken ankle while playing rugby, which forced him to reconsider his sporting priorities.
After rehab and recovery, he decided to focus on BJJ and soon started teaching BJJ in Kuala Belait. This allowed him to train more regularly and over the next few years he competed in numerous international competitions.
The desire to take things to the next level drove Nobel to establish The Refinery in 2018. Finally, he was able to coach on a full time basis and share his love of the martial art, while growing the BJJ community in Belait.
Accomplishments
Purple Belt
- IBJJF Asian Jiu Jitsu Championship (2019) – silver (absolute), bronze (weight)
- Copa Da Borneo – Luta Livre absolute champion (2018)
- Copa Da Malasia – Nogi champion (2017)
- Copa De Hong Kong – Gi Absolute champion (2017)
- Queensland BJJ Championship, Australia – Nogi champion (2017)
Blue Belt
- SEA Grappling challenge, Singapore – Gi champion (SEA Games edition 2015)
- Copa de Bangkok, Thailand – Gi champion (2015)
- KK Headhunters, Malaysia – champion (2014)
White Belt
- Philippines International – Nogi Absolute champion (2013)
- KK Headhunters, Malaysia – champion (2011 & 2012)
- Multiple Pan Asians medalist, Philippines