MOOSE JAW, Saskatchewan — A Q&A with Jason Church who is a former world no-gi Brazilian jiu-jitsu bronze medalist.
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Tell us a bit about yourself.
Jason Church: “My name is Jason Church and I am a jiu jitsu black belt under Professor Aj Scales. I am 36 years old and have four sons. I am the co-owner of Control Jiu Jitsu in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. My passions reside in sharing my passion of grappling with others and helping others realize their true potential. I work during the day as a high school teacher. I have a background in a variety of different combative sports and power lifting. I have acquired a wealth of knowledge from my competition experiences, world champions and my day in day out training.”

What sport/sports do you compete in? How/why did you get started?
Church: “In the past I have competed in Freestyle/Greco Roman wrestling and Judo. I have currently been competing around a decade in jiu jitsu. I got started because I liked the feeling of grappling and the primitive goal it encompasses — something about it gave me comfort and solace. There is a calming effect of combat that helps to let me know I’m alive.”

What type of achievements have you accomplished already?
Church: “I have medalled provincially, nationally and internationally in Judo, wrestling and jiu jitsu. My biggest current accomplishment in jiu jitsu is getting a bronze medal at the 2019 no-gi World championship’s in California.”

What is your goal in the sport/sports?
Church: “My goal is always to advance in my skill development, my mindset and be able to show my sons who has the toughest dad in the school yard.”

What do you love about the sport/sports?
Church: “I love the dynamic and unforgiving nature of the sport. If you are having a bad day you will get choked and if you are having a good day you will get choked. There is so much passion on the mats that once you show up and engage nothing else matters.”

Advice to others interested in starting?
Church: “Come out to our club, try a free lesson, meet all the wonderful people I train with and see that you are stronger than you think. Like Alice down the rabbit hole, it is a whole other world that is addicting and fullfilling. I want to be the one who gives you your first promotion and gets to hear your reflection on how glad you were to start. See you soon!”

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