"I'll be coming home for the Maori nationals at the end of April in Taupo and it will be the first time I fight in those champs. The big goal is the world champs in the United States next year," Jack said.
A yellow belt ranked fighter, Jack, took a liking to the martial art when he accompanied his father, who is now a purple belt holder, to the gym.
"Dad started doing it four or five years ago so I thought I would give it a go too," he recalled.
"Ella has just taken it up and Harry does it every now and then. But he isn't as committed as I am," Jack said referring to his eight-year-old sister and 14-year-old brother.
Along with his dad, Jack, who is sponsored by Suave Kimonos, regards his coach Vicente Cavalcanti, his mentor since day one, as his biggest influence in the sport.
"I train with him four days each week and do conditioning work during the other two. It's my main sport. I tried doing rugby league and as well when I was six but after that year I decided just to focus on Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and that decision has paid off," Jack said.
"I'm surprised at the amount of Kiwis who do it in Australia. You go to tournaments and you find out some of your opponents are from New Zealand too ... Dad knows most of their dads through rugby or softball."
Jack attended a tournament last weekend and despite fighting opponents 10kg heavier he collected gold and silver medals.
"That was an ideal buildup tournament as I look ahead to Taupo," Jack said.
After Taupo his next major tournaments will be the Queensland State Champs on the Gold Coast and the October Pan Pacific Champs in Melbourne.
"It would be good to retain my Queensland title and in Melbourne I'll be trying to improve on last year's second placing," Jack said.
"I've got plenty of supporters in New Zealand who I would like to thank particularly Nana and Grandad [Sally and Garth Wise of Napier] who are my biggest supporters," he added before it was time to hit the mat for another training session.
