meet the team

We are a family owned and operated martial arts academy in cairns, australia.

Garrett Maunder

Head Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Coach / Owner - 1st Degree Black Belt

Garrett started teaching BJJ in 2007 and is constantly always learning new things and improving so as to be able to offer the very best service to clients.

He loves the challenge BJJ provides for your mind. “There’s so much to learn and that I want to be good at. I always go into it with a beginners mindset so I keep learning all the time and I guess I just don’t want to suck at it! Also the fact that you get to “exercise” as a by-product of something that is by nature fun and enjoyable is a plus too. What I learn by doing jiu-jitsu translates into all other areas of my life and I think makes me a better person. It teaches me about myself a lot and my attitude towards things.

Anyone looking to learn BJJ just know that it’s a long journey that is infinitely more rewarding than what you think just learning a martial art could be. You will always regret not having started sooner or the time you took off when you get on (or back on) the mats and you will definitely learn a lot about yourself.”

Jeska Maunder

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Coach / Owner - Brown Belt / Qualified and Registered School Teacher

Meet Jeska, mother of 4 (3 boys and 1 girl), qualified school teacher and BJJ brown belt.

Jeska started BJJ in 2015 and loves the mental challenge it provides each person and what it teaches you about yourself.

“It’s a lot of fun and it attracts some really positive, intelligent and down to earth people. It constantly challenges you and is never dull. It puts you in really tough, uncomfortable situations and shows you what you’re capable of and what you’re like when things are hard and you want to give up. I love that the longer you do BJJ the more interesting and exciting it becomes as it’s constantly evolving in real time…you can’t really say that about a lot of other sports! You’re always learning something new and it doesn’t feel like exercise when you’re doing it because you’re so focused on problem solving the human chess game. It’s only once you finish you realise you’re exhausted! I can’t handle exercising for the sake of exercising! This way, I’m learning one of the most effective martial arts (especially for a female!), challenging my mind and body, staying strong and surrounding myself with others who want to be the best they can be and who aren’t victims in life. I like that.”

Pedro Vasquez

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Coach - Black Belt

Meet Pedro Vasquez, a dedicated black belt hailing from Viña del Mar, Chile. Pedro embarked on his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey in 2012, and his passion for the sport quickly grew into an obsession. Along the way, he discovered a profound enjoyment in sharing his expertise through teaching.

Pedro recognizes that everyone comes to the mat with distinct motivations, and he is committed to delivering an engaging and enjoyable learning experience that caters to individual needs. Believing that an academy is a community akin to a big family, Pedro is excited to contribute to the vibrant spirit of Fusion.

Pedro is a full-time Brazilian Jiujitsu coach with Fusion and as such incorporates the study of the latest and most up-to-date techniques and world-class teaching into his role. His classes are well-constructed to cater for optimal learning as well as enjoyment.

Pedro is interested in learning about his students and sees each person as an individual who brings a uniqueness to the gym. He has a very calm and friendly manner and makes everyone feel right at home.

In Pedro’s classes, expect a blend of technical mastery, entertainment, and a whole lot of fun.

Atchariyakorn Kuamala

Muay Thai Coach

With an impressive 23 years of experience in Boxing and Muay Thai, Snook brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Fusion team.

Born and bred in Kalasin Province, Thailand, Snook has lived and breathed the “Art of 8 Limbs” from the tender age of 11. He has had over 210 boxing and Thai boxing fights and his coaching journey has seen him coach all levels of Boxing and Muay Thai from children and adult beginners to advanced.

Coach Snook has a great sense of humour and is a very kind and friendly soul. His enthusiasm and passion for Muay Thai is infectious. He believes Muay Thai helps you practice concentration and keeps your body strong, alert and agile. He says, “Muay Thai is a great exercise for health and to improve our brain”. He wants to see you do well and love Muay Thai as much as he does. Don’t mistake his kindness for weakness though…he won’t let you get away with sloppy technique or let you skip the conditioning!

Eager to contribute to the growth of exceptional fighters and enjoy the camaraderie of a fantastic group, Snook is thrilled to be part of Fusion, collaborating with Coach Ethan and the entire team.

Ethan Cannon

Muay Thai Fight Manager & Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Coach - Brown Belt

With a rich history in Muay Thai, Ethan has amassed over 30 fights with many under Full Thai Rules. Notably, he has contested in five matches on the Thailand stage, including a prestigious appearance at the new Lumpinee Stadium.

Making history, Ethan achieved a groundbreaking feat by becoming the first person under 18 years old to clinch the Pro QLD WBC Muay Thai Championship. This was complemented by previous victories as the Pro QLD WMC Muay Thai Champion and a double-title holder as the WKBF Australian Champion for two consecutive terms and WKBF Queensland Champion.

In the realm of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Ethan boasts an impressive record with over 400 competition matches. He secured double gold at the 2023 Pan Pacific Championship and triple gold at the 2023 National Championship. He also recently competed in the 2024 ADCC Asia and Oceanic Trials winning the majority of his matches against the most talented and skilled athletes in the world to take home a bronze medal.

Renowned as one of North Queensland’s most active competitors, Ethan achieved a remarkable status in 2023 by being ranked 3rd in Australia for Brown Belt Gi, as well as in 2019 by being ranked 1st in Australia in both Purple Gi and Purple No Gi categories. He continues to add to his accolades as a consistent medalist in various championships, including the Pan Pacific, National, and multiple State Championships.

The dedication and skill Ethan shows reflects his commitment to excellence in the martial arts arena.

Adrian Pancirov

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Coach - Purple Belt

Coach Adrian has been doing BJJ since 2012 and despite 2 knee surgeries he continues to enjoy teaching, training and learning BJJ. Coach Adrian is a favourite of students and adults alike, with his calm and friendly personality and his positive and encouraging words.

Adrian’s own 2 children have also been students in his classes having started training many years ago. BJJ has provided a wonderful bonding opportunity and vehicle for life lessons and personal growth for Adrian and his children. Both Lissie and Emile have reached the level of State and National Champions in many of their IBJJF recognised belt divisions. They now continue to challenge themselves adding in Muay Thai and MMA to their skill set.

What Adrian says about BJJ:

“I’d say the constant learning and constant challenge Jiu Jitsu provides and also requires. I also love seeing the kids improve over time and watching their perseverance pay off! The benefits of BJJ for me is a long list, but in a nutshell it keeps me happy and healthy both physically and mentally. If you just have fun with it, don’t measure yourself against others and just keep showing up, the results will show in time!”.