Kirby Farrales
“Because I believe wholeheartedly in the many benefits that coincide with bettering one’s self through martial arts, I see my primary role when teaching children as providing a lasting positive experience that hopefully encourages them to continue training well into adulthood, if not for the rest of their lives.”
Coach Kirby started training in traditional martial arts in 1983. A product of Philadelphia’s rather rich martial arts history, Coach Kirby has studied numerous disciplines including Aikido at the North American headquarters for Doshinkan Aikido, Judo, Kali (Filipino stick fighting), Kempo Karate at the headquarters for American Karate Studios, Krav Maga, Shotokan at the headquarters for the International Shotokan Karate Federation, Tae Kwon Do under Grandmaster Jae Kim, and most recently Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Coach Kirby is a 4th Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do under Grandmaster Jae Kim and a 1st Degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Master Roberto Godoi. He has been teaching men, women, and children in the greater Philadelphia area since 1992. Coupled with degrees in Elementary/Secondary Education and Communication & Creative Arts, Coach Kirby was our only choice for Head Coach of our Kids Jiu-Jitsu program. His teaching style is dynamic and engaging, and as a father himself, he promotes the idea of living a martial arts lifestyle over the pursuit of mastery of skill alone.
In addition to teaching all of the Kids Jiu-Jitsu classes, he also teaches many of the adult Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes as well, from the ever-important fundamentals classes to the more advanced classes geared toward the active competitors and MMA fighters within our ranks. He also volunteers his time to help coach for Westside Wrestling’s youth program.
Coach Kirby is likely to be the first person you will meet at Beacon Mixed Martial Arts as he conducts many of the free consultations and introductory classes to help guide newcomers toward the program that will best suit their needs.
If you are interested in taking private lessons with Coach Kirby, inquire here.
Awards (incomplete):
2000 Tai Kai Challenge, No-Gi - Bronze
2000 Tai Kai Challenge, Gi - Silver
2000 Relson Gracie U.S. Nationals, Gi - Gold
2000 NAGA North American Grappling Champion (overall for 2000)
2001 US Grappling Championship, No-Gi - Silver
2001 US Grappling Championship, Gi - Silver
2007 US Grappling Diamond State Games, No-Gi - Bronze
2007 US Grappling Diamond State Games, Gi - Bronze
2007 US Grappling CSC North American Championships, Gi - Bronze
2008 Grapplers Quest U.S. Nationals & Copa Atlantica, No-Gi - Bronze
2009 IBJJF No-Gi Pan-American Championship - Silver