Who are we?

Our coaches, brothers Liam and Dylan Resnekov together have 4 decades of coaching and training experience between them. To find out more, please select a coach:

Liam Resnekov

Liam has lived and breathed martial arts since he was born. Like his brother Dylan, he grew up in a household where martial arts was a staple of existence. Both their parents owned a large karate school in which the brothers began their training. Put into judo at 7 years old, Liam’s intense training in the martial arts continued until he discovered the first Ultimate Fighting Championships in 1993.

He watched flabbergasted as the smallest competitor Royce Gracie defeated fighters from every style of martial arts, from kung fu, karate, judo, wrestling to shoot fighting, many of his opponent obviously on steroids. Ironically in the event helmed as a brutal blood sport with no rules, Royce did not hurt anybody, rather subduing them with joint locks and humane chokeholds.

From that day his journey into Brazilian Jiu Jiutsu began, eventually taking him to Brazil where after winning the Australian Championships he snagged gold at the Rio Sul Open quickly submitting his four Brazilian opponents. Realizing the need to supplement with other grappling arts, Liam sought out and trained regularly with Russian Sambo world medalists and Olympic wrestling competitors as well as continuing his training in Judo. His training has taken him to America, Europe, Canada, Thailand and Brazil.

His competitive background includes the multiple time Australian University Games Judo Gold medalist, state and national Brazilian Jiu Jiutsu champion, the #1 Australian Submission Wrestler in the U65 Division in Abu Dhabi Championships 2005 where he submitted four opponents on the way to the finals. He has also established himself in the No Holds Barred Arena and is ranked as the #1 contender for the Xtreme Fighting Flyweight belt and is undefeated. He is currently a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instructor under Professor Bruno Panno of Gracie Humaita, a direct lineage to Royler and Helio Gracie the father of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

HHe believes there is no separation between a good martial artist and a good person, that they are synonymous. He also believes that martial arts are the ultimate vehicle for self improvement and are great not only for competitors but woman, children, men and people of all sizes shapes and abilities.

Dylan Resnekov

Dylan grew up in a martial arts household. Unlike his brother who had a penchant for the grappling arts, Dylan preferred the striking arts and won the national Karate championships numerous times. He graduated from karate to boxing where he threw himself intensely into the study of the sweet science. Later on he discovered the beauty of the ancient art of 8 limbs, Muay Thai, Dylan began an intense training regime, traveling 15 times to Thailand to ensure he was receiving training from the best in the world. His tenacity and ability to absorb their teachings greatly impressed the world champions he received tutelage from. In 2008 he achieved his lifelong goal of becoming World Muay Thai Champion at the World Games in Cyprus. He owes his achievements to training smart, not just hard.

He is undefeated in Thailand, dispensing multiple Thai’s with hundreds of fights between them. He also actively competes in Australia and internationally. His hardest battle in Thailand however was not in the ring, but rather at the site of the 2005 tsunamis devastation. He dove headlong into search and rescue in the days following the disaster on Kho phi phi. He returned in 2005 for the reunion where he trained and competed as well as tied up the loose ends. He believes his training pulled him through this horrific experience and is grateful for not only the physical benefits but also the mental. He has made over 10 trips to Thailand to further his knowledge of his beloved art.

Dylan is a immense believer in the saying “If it is to be, its up to me.” And owes much to martial arts and continues to pass these lessons onto his athletes.

He is the Muay Thai instructor and Co-owner of the VT-1 Gym. He is also the current P.K.A World Muay ThaiChampion, the World Muay Thai Council NSW champion as well as the ISKA Australian Title belt holder.

Joanna Maceachern

Jo is originally from Canada, and came over here in 2003, but is now a full resident. She instantly fell in love with Australia, and hopes to live here forever. She has an unmatched passion for Muay Thai, taking her all over the world to train and fight and delve deeper into the art she loves.

She defies anybody to tell her that Girls can't fight and is proof that Muay thai is not just for brutes. In her spare time when she is not coaching at VT-1 gym she runs a personal training and massage business and occasionaly delves into modeling.

She has had over 15 fights, in Perth, New Zealand, Thailand and Jamaica. In 2008 she got a chance to represent Australia in the world games, where she won the gold medal making her the current World Champion!

She believes that a healthy body creates the base for a healthy mind which has led her to achieve so much against physically stronger and heavier opponents.

Owen Gee Kee

Owen started martial arts at a young age. Beginning learning various forms of Kung fu namely Tong long and Wing Chun. Owen enjoyed the technical aspect and theory behind these martial arts however this enjoyment was somewhat hollow as sparring always felt less precise as well as not very practical. Turning to traditional boxing and Muay Thai, Owen continued his steady progress. It was around this time in the mid nineties when Owen saw UFC 1. Like everyone else, he was amazed when Royce Gracie won that event beating fighters who outweighed him by many kilos and who were experts in their chosen field. Not being particularly athletic or strong made Royce’s feat all the more impressive. After viewing similar performances in UFC 2 & 3, Owen began to seek out Royce’s martial art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ).

After finding a teacher on the Gold Coast Owen began training in BJJ and after his first session was hooked. In that session he recalls wrestling a high school student who he outweighed by about 10kgs. After being forced to submit several times in the first few minutes he knew this that this martial art was different. Using leverage and superior position a smaller person could control and submit a much larger opponent, something that was extremely attractive to someone who was 170cms and only 65-kgs. After training for just over 12 months, Owen got promoted at work and was forced to move to Sydney. He immediately started BJJ training under Royler Gracie (Royce’s brother) Black belt Bruno Panno. Owen received his Brown belt early in 2009. Today Owen is coached by Bruno Panno & Marcos Nevell as well as being guided by his close friend Liam Resnekov. BJJ forms an integral part of his life, helping to build character and fortitude while keeping him fit and healthy. Owen looks forward to helping add to VT-1's already strong team and has already added to their success.

Jason Gulati

Jason Gulati is a certified and highly qualified personal trainer who specializes in strength and conditioning for athletics. Always hungry to further his knowledge he is also finishing his Health and Exercise Science Degree at UNSW while operating his full-time training business. Not just a theorist, he has competed and coached at a high level which has helped him design sport-specific programs for combat athletes. He is the head conditioning coach for VT-1 gym and also works with most of the Gracie Sydney Fight team. To top this he and has overseas experience; working with Frank Mir in his preparation for Antonio Nogueira in the UFC which he won as well as assiting Robert Drysdale in winning ADCC World Submission Wrestling Tournament.