Dojo Nine

Proud of Team Dojo Nine at AVA Western Submission Grappling this weekend.

6 competitors
2 Gold Medals
2 Silver Medals
9 Submission Victories

More important than the medals was the character shown throughout the day.

Some students won. Some lost. Some competed for the very first time. Some faced bigger and more experienced opponents.

But everyone stepped onto the mats and tested themselves.

Special shoutout to Noah Prim for showing incredible resilience in his first tournament as a one-stripe white belt, battling back after losing the opening round to win the next two submissions.

Also proud of Maya, Zoey, Riley, Austin, and Collin for representing the academy with courage and composure.

Win or lose, these experiences build confidence, humility, and character.

Mitch has been training with us for 11 years, all the way back to when the school first opened.

Like anyone who stays in the game long enough, his journey hasn’t been smooth. Injuries, setbacks, time away — but what matters is this: he never lost the thread. He stayed the course.

If you’ve trained at Friday 6 AM, you already know. Mitch is a culture builder. Over the last few years, he’s helped turn that class into a room people show up for. Early mornings, consistency, accountability — not because someone told him to, but because he chose it.

He embodies what we value here:
• Owning your own progress
• Taking responsibility for your growth
• Showing up even when it’s hard

No shortcuts. No excuses. Just steady work over time.

Congrats, Mitch. Well earned. 👊