Hanshi Darrell LaFrance is the founder of Kumo Jiu Jitsu, is ranked as a 9th degree black belt by the Sokeship Council under the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame and has been involved with martial arts for over 35 years. As the highest ranked grappling instructor in Canada, Hanshi LaFrance has shared his knowledge openly with many clubs, pioneered the first free-style grappling tournaments ever held in Canada, and is the the author of the World Kobudo Federation's tournament grappling rules.

Hanshi LaFrance is also in charge of Grappling world wide for the World Kobudo Federation, and is recognized internationally as a leading authority on grappling, having travelled to many different countries around the world teaching his unique style.

In 1995, Hanshi LaFrance was voted Instructor of the Year by the Canadian Jiu Jitsu Association, and in 2000 appointed Vice President of the Can Jiu Jitsu Association.

As Head Coach and Instructor of the Three Time World Champion Canadian Grappling Team, Hanshi guided the team to gold medals at the 1998 French Convention, the 1999 Quebec Convention, and the WKF Austrian World Cup 2000 without losing a single match. Today, he continues to develop and perfect the art of grappling as well as coach and instruct at his dojo in Bowmanville, Ontario at True Warrior Martial Arts (285 Lake Rd.)