Christian Gerhardt | Head Coach & Founder
Training since 2011
Rank: Brown Belt under Professor Nicolas Gregoriades
Christian is the Head Coach and Founder of Iron Vikings, bringing over a decade of Jiu-Jitsu experience to the mats. A youth coach since 2016, he specializes in building technical foundations, discipline, and confidence in young athletes, while guiding adult practitioners toward technical mastery.
His coaching philosophy is rooted in a system-driven, positional approach focused on efficiency, structural biomechanics, and practical control. By removing unnecessary complexity, Christian teaches students to think clearly under pressure and execute high-percentage techniques. His goal is simple: develop intelligent movement, total positional control, and a resilient mindset in every grappler—regardless of size or athletic background.
Antonie van Wyk | Adults Coach
Brown Belt Under Jerome Petersen
Antonie van Wyk has over a decade of experience since beginning his journey in 2015. He also holds a 2nd-degree brown belt in Shotokan Karate and has practiced Tai Chi for many years, bringing a well-rounded martial arts perspective to his instruction.
Coaching adults since 2023, Antonie blends strong Jiu-Jitsu fundamentals—drawing from Judo, combat Jiu-Jitsu, and self-defence—with modern strategic leg-lock systems. His teaching philosophy emphasizes understanding why techniques work and where they fit into the broader system, creating a structured, technical learning environment. For Antonie, Jiu-Jitsu is a lifelong discipline that fosters perseverance, self-reflection, and personal growth both on and off the mats.
Steven Martheze | Assistant Coach – Beginners
Training Since: 2018
Rank: Purple Belt under Christian Gerhardt
Steven assists with coaching the beginner classes at Iron Vikings, drawing on his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training and seven years of prior experience in Japanese Jiu-Jitsu.
On the mats, Steven favors pressure passing, strong guard retention, and a calm, controlled grappling style. His coaching philosophy centers on simplicity and clarity—breaking down fundamental concepts one step at a time to help new students build confidence, stay relaxed under pressure, and establish a solid foundation.
Brian | Assistant Coach – Advanced Kids
Training since: 2020
Rank: Blue Belt under Christian Gerhardt
Brian serves as the assistant coach for the advanced kids’ class at The Iron Vikings. Having started his Jiu-Jitsu journey in his mid-40s, he brings a mature, highly intentional approach to the mats—emphasizing movement, positioning, leverage, and control over raw strength.
As a coach and parent, Brian is passionate about helping young athletes unlock their potential, build confidence, and develop strong values both on and off the mats. His teaching philosophy centers on purpose and strategy: understanding how to create space, control positions, and embrace challenges with a positive mindset.