Feet pad on the mat as two Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitors cautiously approach each other at the beginning of a face-off. The pair’s cotton gi robes rub together as they become embroiled in a grapple. There is a thud as one gets the upper hand, rolling their opponent to the ground.
These sights and sounds became familiar to veterinarian Anthony Hollis over months of watching his sons’ classes at Espada Studio in Hong Kong’s Sheung Wan neighbourhood.






