08/03/2026
Proud is an understatement.
Our team competed at North American Grappling Association (NAGA) Battle at the Beach this weekend and left us with the inability to stop talking the entire 3.5+ hour car ride home. We relived great matches, talked through lessons learned, and couldn’t stop talking about how proud we are of everyone.
What stood out the most wasn’t just what happened on the mats—it was what happened around them. As we bounced from ring to ring, everyone worked together, keeping each other updated on schedule changes, match times, and who was up next so no one competed without teammates cheering them on. When one coach couldn’t be everywhere at once, others stepped in without hesitation. That’s what being a team is all about.
The lessons learned this weekend went far beyond medals. Yes, there were 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishes, and every one of them was well earned. But the biggest victory was the courage it took to step onto the mat.
Several members of our team had never competed before and chose a tournament with more than 1,800 competitors (over two days) to make their debut. That takes incredible bravery, determination, and confidence.
To every competitor: thank you for representing Mountain Karate Academy with skill, heart, humility, and outstanding sportsmanship. Whether you won, lost, or simply conquered your nerves by stepping onto the mat, you made us proud.
Thank you to all of the family members who came out to support our competitors and who even jumped in to coach and assist!
Congratulations to Master Ron all of the competitors of the Brawlers Brazilian Jiu-jitsu team! We couldn’t be prouder of each and every one of you!
