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  • Jo Lee Is Our Martial Artist of the Month!

    JD Lee trains in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu because it is a fun and engaging way to stay in shape. He had never been interested in competing…until recently.

     

    martial arts buford ga

    After 7 + years of training, much of which at Straight Blast Gym Buford, JD got the itch to get out there and compete in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. At the age of 47 years young, JD was ready to see what he could do in a live setting, against an unknown opponent, with higher expectations than jus training in the gym. When asked about why he chose to compete after 7 + years of doing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for fun, he had this to say:

     

    “I wanted to learn more about myself as an individual. I knew that competing would show me things I need to improve in my gamefrom movements, to concepts, perseverance, patience, mental toughness, and adversity.”

     

    martial arts buford ga

    In August, JD got a tune up at a smaller competition to help get him prepared for the Atlanta Open in September. The Atlanta Open is the largest Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tournament in Atlanta, where people from all around the region, and country, come to compete. JD put in months of hard training in preparation, doubling his typical training volume, and focusing on the foods and supplements he was putting in his body. When the day of the Atlanta Open Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tournament arrived, JD felt confident and ready. He ended up looking AWESOME, finishing his entire division in second place and nearly walking away with the gold. Coach Sean Coleman reflects of JD’s training preparation:

     

    “JD has always been a great training partner. He is liked by everyone, and has the reputation as being a guy that can give you a good, safe role. Over the past couple months, man, he’s been a different animal. Still the same nice guy, still a good training partner, but he’s starting to put that sauce on people in class. I was so happy to hear he was going to compete in jiu jitsu; it’s really brought out the best in him.”

     

    From all of us at Straight Blast Gym Buford, great job JD!

     

    Jim Sheppard

    is one of the co-owners of Straight Blast Gym Buford and Straight Blast Gym Atlanta. He has been training / coaching / competing in Muay Thai since 2013 and holds a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.