# Apex Martial Arts > Richmond, Canada ## Overview **Name:** Apex Martial Arts **Description:** Established in 2008, Apex Martial Arts has grown to become one of the most successful martial arts academies in the Metro Vancouver area. Located in Richmond, BC, Apex is easily accessible from Vancouver, Ladner, and Delta. The academy has built a reputation for excellence, with over 80% of new members joining through word-of-mouth recommendations, demonstrating the quality of instruction and positive training environment. Apex Martial Arts specializes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Kickboxing programs for both adults and children. The academy offers Kids Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Eaglets and Jr. Eagles programs for ages 5-14), Adult Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Fundamentals, Intermediate, and Advanced classes), and Adult Kickboxing. The training philosophy emphasizes continuous improvement, quality coaching, and creating a friendly, positive environment. Apex rejects the "survival of the fittest" mentality and has suitable training programs for everyone, whether training for self-defense, fitness, sport competition, or MMA preparation. The academy is led by head instructor Dave Wu, who brings extensive competition experience including gold medals at the 2015 Pan Jiu-Jitsu Championship and 2013 Roots BJJ Challenge. The experienced coaching team includes Milo Hilario (with over 25 years of martial arts experience and multiple Pan Championship medals), Marcy Hilario (20+ years of Kickboxing and 15+ years of BJJ), Max Nguyễn (2013 Pan Jiu-Jitsu gold medalist), Derek Fung, Colin Anderson, Jeremy Brand, Sarah Sakurai, Chris Ang, Nathaniel Bovey, Ken Su, Brett Ing, and Alex Nguyễn. The instructors provide quality coaching with a focus on helping students reach their personal goals in a safe, clean, and welcoming environment. **Status:** Active ## Contact Information **Address:** #140-13571 Verdun Place Richmond V6V 1W5, Canada **Phone:** (604) 227-2756 **Email:** info@apexma.ca **Website:** https://www.apexma.ca **Social Media:** - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apex_martial_arts/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Apex-Martial-Arts-168994786452418/ ## Hours of Operation - Monday: 4:00 PM - 7:15 PM - Tuesday: 4:00 PM - 7:15 PM - Wednesday: 4:00 PM - 7:15 PM - Thursday: 4:00 PM - 7:15 PM - Friday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM - Saturday: 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM - Sunday: Closed ## Facilities & Amenities Kickboxing ## Instructors ### Dave Wu **Role:** Head Instructor **Bio:** As the Head Instructor of Apex Martial Arts, Dave enjoys sharing his knowledge about both the physical and mental aspects of Jiu-Jitsu. He believes that having a solid understanding of the basics is the most important factor for success in the art, regardless of where it's applied: sport Gi Jiu Jitsu, submission grappling, MMA, or self-defence. Dave has also trained in Judo, Muay Thai, and Kung Fu. ### Alex Nguyễn **Role:** Instructor **Bio:** Alex Nguyen was born on January 17, 2000, in Vietnam but moved to the United States with her family in 2002, settling in Maryland where she grew up. Encouraged by her parents to try as many extra-curricular activities as she could, Nguyen went through an array of hobbies from arts to soccer, judo, and jiu-jitsu, which she picked up in 2009, around the same time, she joined her school’s wrestling team. From the get-go Alex’s father was very involved in her sporting life, often in a – now understood to be – overly intense manner. According to Nguyen in an interview given to BJJ Heroes in November 2022, her father asked 9-year-old Alex “ Do you want to do this recreationally or be elite? ” when she first started training jiu-jitsu. Being young and wanting to make her father proud, Alex chose the latter option which resulted in years of an intense training schedule programed by the patriarch, consisting of weight lighting, scholastic wrestling, and jiu-jitsu, often for 32 hours per week, outside her academic duties. The intensity of the schedule demanded by her father eventually dried out her love for the sport and damaged Alex’s relationship with her dad. In 2018 she decided to break the cycle and started practicing jiu-jitsu merely as a hobbyist. This lasted up until her black belt promotion which took place on December 2020, a ceremony led by Nguyen’s long-standing coach, Greg Souders, who took Alex from white to black belt. After earning her black belt, Alex became more invested in the sport once again, opting to give her competitive career a second chance. ### Brett Ing **Role:** Instructor ### Chris Ang **Role:** Instructor **Bio:** Chris started his Jiu-Jitsu training in 2006, at a Gracie Humaita (Royler Gracie) affiliate academy, and joined Apex in 2012. In 2013, Chris represented Apex at the Roots Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Challenge, winning a Gold Medal. Having visited and trained at a variety of different Jiu-Jitsu Academies such as Henry Akins Dynamix Martial Arts, Marcelo Garcia NYC Academy, Kron Gracie Academy, and the Torrance California Gracie Academy - Chris likes to teach a comprehensive style of Jiu-Jitsu that covers both the sport and self-defense aspects of the art. ### Colin Anderson **Role:** Instructor ### Derek Fung **Role:** Instructor **Bio:** Derek started his martial arts journey with Korean Hapkido in 2001, eventually becoming an instructor, and a member of the public demonstrations team. In 2010, he transitioned to training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Kickboxing at Apex Martial Arts. Derek always strives to learn and improve, and when not at the academy, can be found staying active with other sports such as hockey and volleyball. Derek's aim is to help others reach their goals in health, fitness, sport Jiu-Jitsu, and self-defence - always while training in a safe and fun environment. ### Jeremy Brand - Brown **Role:** Instructor **Bio:** Jeremy Brandt began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2006 at Gracie Barra Vancouver. He was enamoured by the sport after watching Royce Gracie in the early days of the UFC and became addicted immediately after starting his journey. Jeremy earned his blue belt from Gracie Barra and was promoted to purple and brown from Milo Hilario at Apex Martial Arts. When he is not on the mats, Jeremy is constantly watching and increasing his knowledge of the game by watching instructionals and videos. After not competing in over a decade, Jeremy decided to step back onto the competition mats in 2022 and will continue to represent the Apex flag and try to push the younger generation of our students to compete as well. ### Ken Su **Role:** Instructor **Bio:** Ken has been assisting in teaching the Junior programs since 2014, and likes to bring his knowledge of competitive sport Jiu Jitsu to the kids in a fun and safe manner. ### Marcy Hilario **Role:** Instructor **Bio:** Marcy has been practicing Kickboxing for over 20 years, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for over 15 years. She enjoys leading intense Kickboxing workouts, and motivating the class to do their very best. ### Max Nguyễn **Role:** Instructor **Bio:** Max has a successful track record as a top-finisher in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournaments, both in Canada and the United States. Along with his strong fighting spirit, Max also has a friendly and easy-going nature, which comes through in his instructional style. ### Milo Hilario **Role:** Instructor **Bio:** Milo considers himself a student first and foremost. He has a strong passion for learning and teaching, and strives to make his classes challenging, technical, and fun. Milo has trained in a variety of martial arts for over 25 years, with experience in Wrestling, Boxing, Muay Thai, Kickboxing, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. ### Nathaniel Bovey **Role:** Instructor ### Sarah Sakurai **Role:** Instructor ## Programs ### Eaglets Jiu Jitsu (5-8 years old) **Skill Level:** All Levels **Age Group:** kids **Gi Requirement:** Gi required **Description:** Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program for younger children ages 5-8, focusing on fundamentals in a fun and safe environment. **Classes:** ### Jr. Eagles Fundamentals (8-14 years old) **Skill Level:** Beginner **Age Group:** kids **Gi Requirement:** Gi required **Description:** Fundamental Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program for children ages 8-14, building core techniques and skills. **Classes:** ### Jr. Eagles Jiu Jitsu (8-14 years old) **Skill Level:** Intermediate **Age Group:** kids **Gi Requirement:** Gi required **Description:** Advanced Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program for children ages 8-14. ### Fundamentals 1 Jiu Jitsu **Skill Level:** Beginner **Age Group:** adults **Gi Requirement:** Gi required **Description:** Beginner-friendly Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program focusing on core techniques and concepts. **Classes:** ### Fundamentals 2 Jiu Jitsu **Skill Level:** Beginner **Age Group:** adults **Gi Requirement:** Gi required **Description:** Intermediate fundamentals Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program building on basic techniques. ### Advanced Jiu Jitsu **Skill Level:** Advanced **Age Group:** adults **Gi Requirement:** Gi required **Description:** Advanced Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program for experienced practitioners. ### Kickboxing **Skill Level:** All Levels **Age Group:** adults **Gi Requirement:** No-Gi **Description:** High-intensity Kickboxing workout program combining technique, fitness, and fun. --- **Last Updated:** March 09, 2026 **Data Source:** BJJ.Space (https://bjj.space/gyms/canada/richmond/apex-martial-arts)