Jakub Zajkowski

Born on April 9, 1997, in Poland, Jakub Zajkowski's path to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was shaped largely by his father's passion for combat sports. A devoted fan of cage-fighting, Zajkowski's father grew concerned as his son drifted toward a sedentary lifestyle during his pre-teen years. Determined to redirect that energy, he offered young Jakub three options: judo, wrestling, or BJJ. The decision carried some weight — Jakub had already trained judo as a younger child and walked away with an unfavorable impression of the art, making a return unlikely. Wrestling held little appeal. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, by process of both elimination and genuine curiosity, became the clear choice — and the starting point of what would become a decorated grappling career.

At the age of 12, Jakub stepped onto the BJJ mats for the first time, beginning a journey that would carry him from Bialystok, Poland, deep into the European competition circuit and beyond.

Building the Foundation in Bialystok

Jakub's formative BJJ education unfolded under the guidance of Marek Pietrzak at the Rosomak Jiu-Jitsu Academy — a Copacabana BJJ affiliate based in Bialystok. Pietrzak served as Zajkowski's primary coach from age 12 through his 20th birthday, and stands as the principal architect of his technical foundation. The coach-athlete relationship proved exceptionally productive, with Jakub rapidly establishing himself as one of the most promising young grapplers to emerge from Poland.

A Résumé Built at Colored Belt

The competition results across this period reflected the depth of Pietrzak's instruction. At purple belt, Zajkowski earned a bronze medal at the IBJJF European Open No-Gi in 2015, then stepped up to claim gold at the 2016 IBJJF European Open, affirming his status as a top-tier prospect at the colored belt level. In 2017, he added the 2017 UAEJJF Abu Dhabi World Pro title — one of the most prestigious colored belt competitions in the world — along with another bronze at the IBJJF European Open that same year.

The move to brown belt sustained his upward trajectory. Zajkowski took gold at the British Nationals in 2019, silver at the ACBJJ European Open in 2018, and bronze at the 2018 UAEJJF Abu Dhabi World Pro. By the time he was ready to transition to the next chapter of his career, he carried a résumé that few grapplers his age could rival.

A Roll That Changed Everything

The encounter that redirected Zajkowski's career came in 2015, when Braulio Estima — one of the most accomplished competitors in BJJ history — visited Copacabana BJJ to conduct a workshop. During the session, Estima rolled with the then-18-year-old Zajkowski, who was competing at purple belt. The exchange left a clear impression on Estima, who recognized in the young Pole a level of skill and composure that warranted serious attention.

From Invitation to Black Belt

Estima's response was direct: Jakub was welcome to come to Birmingham, England, and train at his gym. In early 2016, Zajkowski made the trip, spending a week on the mats with Braulio Estima and deepening the connection between them. At the end of that visit, Estima extended a longer-term offer — once Jakub completed college, he could relocate to Birmingham to coach and compete under the Gracie Barra banner full-time.

In August 2017, having finished his studies and earned his brown belt, Zajkowski made the move to the United Kingdom. Training full-time under Estima's supervision, he continued to sharpen his game and compete across both the British and international circuits. After nearly two years of intensive preparation, on July 7, 2019, Braulio Estima promoted Jakub Zajkowski to the rank of black belt — a milestone that launched the most high-profile phase of his competitive career.

A Statement Debut Year

Zajkowski's entry into black belt competition was immediate and emphatic. In the months following his promotion in July 2019, he assembled one of the most prolific debut runs on the European IBJJF circuit, claiming gold at the IBJJF Paris Open, the IBJJF Rome Open, the IBJJF Dublin Open, the IBJJF Amsterdam Open, and the IBJJF London Fall Open — all within the same calendar year. The London Warrior Cup title in 2019 further cemented his dominance on the British circuit during that stretch.

Sustained Presence at the Highest Level

Competing in the Meio Pesado division (88.30 kg / 195.0 lbs), Zajkowski carried that momentum into the sport's most prestigious European event, the IBJJF European Open, earning bronze medals in both 2020 and 2022 — results that reflect his sustained competitiveness among the continent's elite black belts. Representing Great Britain internationally while remaining proud of his Polish roots, Zajkowski's career arc — from a 12-year-old in Bialystok to a Gracie Barra black belt competing at the highest levels of European jiu-jitsu — stands as a compelling testament to the foundation Marek Pietrzak built and the trajectory Braulio Estima helped define.