Like Park City Olympians, the Park City Jiu-Jitsu Team recently brought home a collection of medals. Park City Jiu-Jitsu competed in the Northwest Submission Challenge in Boise, Idaho. Under the leadership of black belt Professor Mike Diaz, eight children and five adults represented Park City Jiu-Jitsu. The team returned with 18 medals (nine gold, four silver and five bronze), with every child earning at least one medal and two of the five adults earning medals. This was one of the largest tournaments in the West, with participants from California, Idaho, Nevada, Washington, Oregon and Utah.

Park City Jiu-Jitsu was not only successful on the mat, but off the mat as well. Tournament officials, referees, other coaches and parents recognized the good sportsmanship, respect, team spirit, humility and discipline demonstrated by the Park City Jiu-Jitsu team. These life values in addition to the quality instruction are major reasons why Park City Jiu-Jitsu under Professor Mike Diaz is so successful and special.

"I enjoy teaching Jiu-Jitsu every day, and it is rewarding to see my students perform the art outside our academy," Diaz said. "Overall, we were technically sound, which greatly contributed to our success. Also, the encouragement of our older kids with our younger kids was so special. This tournament was truly a team success."

Park City Jiu-Jitsu teaches Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), which is a martial art and sport that teaches a smaller person how to defend himself against a larger adversary by using leverage and proper technique. Park City Jiu Jitsu’s children’s program teaches core values that are used throughout life and skills to protect personal safety. Children learn how to not be bullied, and not be a bully. Words are given and reasoning is taught to handle situations, in addition to defensive techniques that involve no striking. Once Professor Mike feels a child is prepared they can participate if they desire in sport competitions such as the Northwest Submission Challenge.

Results from the Northwest Submission Challenge in Boise, April 24 and 25:

Children’s Division

Rebekah Hardman, 12: Gold in Gi, Gold in No Gi

Caden Gennerman, 10: Gold in Gi, Bronze in No Gi

Matilda Turner, 10: Bronze in Gi

Cort Tuner, 8: Silver in Gi, Silver in No Gi

Ethan Alejo, 6: Gold in Gi, Bronze in No Gi

Ethan Cunningham, 6: Silver in Gi, Silver in No Gi

Dylan Lloyd, 6: Gold in Gi, Gold in No Gi

Timothy, 6: Gold in Gi, Bronze in No Gi

Adult Division

Anthony Pagano: Gold in Gi

Nick Howlett: Competed

Chris Bova: Competed

Masters Division

Eric Sullano: Gold in No Gi, Bronze in Gi

Travis Hardman: Competed

This was the first tournament of the competition season. Park City Jiu-Jitsu with be traveling and competing in several in-state and out-of-state tournaments during the next several months.

Professor Mike Diaz has been studying Jiu-Jitsu for 19 years and earned his black belt in 2006. Park City Jiu-Jitsu has been in business for over five years and is located at 1792 Bonanza Dr. It also has self-defense classes, Ginastica Natural (functional movement workout) classes and BJJ classes for adult and kids who want learn the art but not compete. Email parkcityjiujitsu@gmail.com, call 801-638-5950, visit http://www.parkcitybjj.com or look for us on Facebook.