Taikang Lu martial arts

Taikang Lu is best known for its quiet galleries, trendy cafes and relaxed atmosphere but hidden away inside Building Three are a group who take beating you into submission very seriously. Unlikely as it sounds, studio 311 is home to top Brazilian Jujitsu and MMA trainer Tony Eduardo Lima.

Mixed Martial Arts encompasses several styles and professional competition circuits. American and Japanese fans follow big fights and big names in comps such as K-1, UFC and Pride, but it is just starting to catch on in China. Once the sport had time to develop it became apparent that Jujitsu fighters were dominating and soon all fighters were coming to teachers like Tony Lima to get ‘ground game’. In Brazil, the art is highly traditional and highly developed through the Gracie Family and their schools. It is a complete style and a way of life.

Inspired by the Gracies, Tony Lima trained BJJ since he was twelve years old. His friend, Shanghai based Ryan Melchiano, was returning to the city and persuaded him to come along for the ride. The new studio at Taikang Lu is a welcome addition to Shanghai’s growing martial arts scene and definitely a step towards the pre-war days of famous schools and infamous ‘lei-tai’ challenge matches.

Professor Lima’s studio is at Studio 311, Building 3, Lane 210 Taikang Lu.