The Martial Art Of Jiu Jitsu - een dag op de mat met Ashkan Joshghani
From mat to mindset.
Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a martial art where technique beats strength, and where pressure reveals your resilience. Some call it "the gentle art." But above all, it's a sport that teaches you something about yourself.
What you'll learn.
On Sunday, September 27, the historic Arena of Wintercircus becomes a dojo. Black belt and head coach Ashkan Joshghani brings his vision together: not just a regular taster class, but a martial arts experience where sport, culture, and art flow into one another.
You can spend the whole afternoon on the mat. There's an open introduction session for everyone, plus a separate women-only self-defense session. No experience needed, no gear needed, just plenty of enthusiasm to give it a try.
Prefer to watch? Head to the Jiu-Jitsu Art Corner, an installation on the history of the sport and of BJJ Gent, Ghent's first jiu-jitsu academy, founded in 2008. It features the club archive, photography, original designs, and the kimono Ashkan trained in for years until it tore.
The day closes with live sparring between elite athletes. You can't take part in this one, but you can watch and admire it.
Practicals.
When: Sunday, September 27
Where: Arena, Wintercircus
Schedule
- 13:00–13:15 Doors open
- 13:15–14:45 Session 1: Introduction (mixed)
- 14:45–15:00 Break
- 15:00–16:00 Session 2: Women-only self-defense
- 16:00–16:15 Break
- 16:15–17:15 Session 3: Live elite sparring
- 17:15–19:00 Event wrap-up
Access: Registration is required for sessions 1 and 2, at a cost of €6.95, which includes a healthy drink. Session 3 is free to attend as a spectator, with invitation-only participation.
Drinks: Bar Bougie is open during every break for a drink.
In collaboration with BJJ Gent and Exoligamentz. With support from Sportdienst Stad Gent.
Who is Ashkan?
Ashkan operates at the crossroads of sport, science, and entrepreneurship. He's a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and head coach of BJJ Gent.
He's also a Ghent University veterinary medicine alumnus and founder of Exoligamentz, a UGent spin-off based in Wintercircus that developed a patented second-skin glove protecting fingers in contact sports.
In 2025, Exoligamentz reached the final of the Sport Innovation Challenge at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne and was named best Flemish startup at the Belgian final of the Entrepreneurship World Cup.
Photo: © Sebastian Steveniers