Ascend Athletics is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) studio in Singapore's Little India, located just two minutes from Little India MRT Station. Founded in 2019 by Christian Rodrigues, the academy offers BJJ, Judo, Wrestling and F.I.T (fitness) classes for all levels and ages, starting from as young as 2.5 years old, in a facility equipped with showers and cold refreshments.
Ascend Athletics is an affiliate of Lucas Lepri BJJ, connecting students to the lineage of a 9-times World Champion. The academy was built on founder Christian Rodrigues' own martial arts journey — after experiencing bullying growing up and exploring Taekwondo, Aikido, Karate, Muay Thai and Mixed Martial Arts, he found his path in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling, starting BJJ in November 2009 and earning his Brown Belt in 2015 under Professor Lucas Lepri.
Beyond the studio, Christian has served as Head BJJ Instructor for META's (Facebook) APAC HQ BJJ programme and at Fighter Fitness MMA, and provides sports and fitness services for the International French School Singapore and Ninja Van Singapore's team cohesion activities. He holds UWW (United World Wrestling) coaching certifications at Level 1 and Level 2, and an NCSF Personal Trainer Certification.
Tucked along Race Course Road in Singapore's Little India, just two minutes from Little India MRT Station, Ascend Athletics has built its identity around a simple idea: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a sustainable fitness lifestyle for everyone, not just competitive athletes. Founded in 2019 by Christian Rodrigues, the academy offers a full spread of grappling and fitness classes, from BJJ and Judo to Wrestling and F.I.T sessions, catering to students of all levels and ages starting from as young as 2.5 years old.
Christian Rodrigues' path to founding Ascend Athletics started with being bullied growing up, which sparked a search for self-defense skills that took him through Taekwondo, Aikido, Karate, Muay Thai and Mixed Martial Arts. He eventually found his calling in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling, starting his BJJ journey in November 2009 and progressing to Brown Belt level by 2015 under Professor Lucas Lepri, a 9-times World Champion. Ascend Athletics is an official affiliate of Lucas Lepri BJJ, giving students a direct connection to that competitive lineage.
Before founding Ascend, Christian co-founded Fortitude Martial Arts and Fitness from 2014 to 2018, where he managed operations and developed class syllabuses spanning kids to adults. His competitive résumé includes multiple podium finishes across BJJ and wrestling tournaments in Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangkok at Blue, Purple and Brown belt levels, plus a bronze finish in Olympic Freestyle Wrestling at the Singapore Combat Championships 2013. On the coaching side, he holds UWW (United World Wrestling) Certified Wrestling Coach certifications at Level 1 (2015) and Level 2 (2023), along with an NCSF Personal Trainer Certification.
Christian's coaching extends well past Ascend's own mats. He has served as Head BJJ Instructor for META's (Facebook) APAC HQ BJJ programme and at Fighter Fitness MMA, and provides sports and fitness services to the International French School Singapore and for Ninja Van Singapore's team cohesion activities. He has also run BJJ and self-defence workshops in partnership with Adam Khoo Lifeskills at Bedok View Secondary and Yishun Secondary School, plus a series of Learning Journey workshops with EduBlitz across several other secondary schools in Singapore.
At the studio itself, Ascend Athletics runs BJJ classes as its core offering, alongside dedicated Judo and Wrestling classes and F.I.T sessions for those focused primarily on fitness. Kids' classes cater to children from 2.5 years old, and beginner courses give newcomers a structured entry point into BJJ specifically. The facility is equipped with showers and cold refreshments, useful practical details for anyone training after work or school.
Parent and student testimonials point to a coaching culture built around more than technique. One parent described switching his son from another martial art after two years, noting the "remarkable" difference in approach at Ascend, with an emphasis on kindness and joy that he felt was missing elsewhere. Another student recalled that after meeting Coach Chris, he learned far more than just exercise — describing him as an insightful coach who takes time to understand each student's specific goals. A further review highlighted the gym's good vibe and a schedule well-suited to working adults and students alike.
Ascend Athletics has been featured by TheFunEmpire in its coverage of Singapore martial arts studios, and the academy maintains an active presence across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and X to share updates on classes, promotions and community events.
For anyone in Singapore looking for BJJ, wrestling, judo or general martial-arts-based fitness in a Little India-based studio with a genuinely credentialed coach, Ascend Athletics offers a well-rounded, community-oriented option.