August 2025 | Episode #16
Pictured: The Mighty Lincoln Sanchez squaring up in his first tournament. First class February 18, 2025.
If you’ve spent any time at our gym lately, you can’t help but feel the buzz of our Youth Jiu-Jitsu program. In just 5 months and under the direction of coaches Matt Hansen and Connor Gillen, these dedicated athletes went from trial classes to tournaments! This progress didn’t happen overnight and our August newsletter is dedicated to the efforts of them and their families.
The Road to Lincoln
While LŌKAHI sent eight youth athletes to the tournament, their performance was the result of a much larger team effort. In the six weeks leading up to the event, our young competitors and their teammates regularly stayed after class, extending their training to sharpen skills and simulate competition intensity.
“Consistency is key and one of the biggest factors in our success,” said Coach Connor. “Almost all of our athletes attended every class, every single week - but so did their teammates.”
Those extra rounds were optional, but they weren’t easy. They pushed our athletes physically, tested their technique under fatigue, and revealed areas that needed refinement. More importantly, they created confidence. By the time competition day arrived, many of our first-time participants walked out their knowing they had put in the work.
Coach Connor also noticed a shift in focus during those final weeks. “It was almost hard for us to keep up with how quickly they were improving,” he said. “Their willingness to learn, paired with their positive attitudes, created a training environment that was incredibly productive.”
Assistant Coach Michael Pflueger fine tuning LŌKAHI athletes for No Gi.
Tournament Day
The tournament gave our athletes a chance to put their preparation to the test and they did so with grit, composure, and character. From tough matches to hard-earned victories, we saw plenty of moments to be proud of. But what stood out most wasn’t just the technique on display. It was the way our students carried themselves throughout the day.
Time and again, LŌKAHI athletes showed what it means to compete with integrity. We watched as students checked on their opponents after a tough exchange, offered encouragement between rounds, and rallied behind their teammates with genuine support. It was clear that while our athletes came to compete, they also came to represent the kind of culture we’ve worked hard to build; one rooted in mutual respect and collective growth.
That spirit of camaraderie was present in both our youth and adult divisions. Whether it was a quiet fist bump, a high-five after a hard match, or a teammate helping another shake off a loss, we were all in this together.
Standout Performances
Standout Performances
#1 Pound-4-Pound Advanced Male Competitor:
REID KAREL
#2 Fastest Submission (13 seconds):
OWEN SANCHEZ
4x Gold Medalist:
KARISSA FULLER
ON THE PODIUM
LŌKAHI Youth Athletes: Silas Pflueger, Finn Gourley, Roen Gourley, Dayton Petersen, Lincoln Sanchez, Owen Sanchez, Noah Richardson
LŌKAHI Adult Athletes: Reid Karel, Arjun Maudhoo, Christian Anderson, Sam O’Loughlin and Jenna Witt.
(Not pictured, but not forgotten!): Karissa Fuller, Gene Kowel, and James Richardson.
Nebraska Jiu-Jitsu Championship - Summer Open
2nd Place Team Champions!!!
Congratulations on another successful outing, #TeamLŌKAHI !
“Absolutely love this place! My kids have been training here for a few months now, and the growth we’ve seen—both in confidence and discipline—has been incredible. The coaches are not only skilled, but they also truly care about the development of each child. They create a positive, respectful, and fun environment that keeps my kids excited to come back every week. Highly recommend this gym to any parent looking to build character, confidence, and resilience in their kids through jiu-jitsu.
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Mark Your Calendars!
Mark Your Calendars!
1st Annual LŌKAHI Day
Saturday - October 4, 2025
Help us celebrate 1 year in business with an afternoon of games, food, entertainment, and more. Hosted on the Hansen’s beautiful property in Blair, NE, we’ll have something for everyone. Collective members and their families are invited, so keep an eye on your emails for more details in the coming month.
Justin ‘J.FLO’ Flores Seminar
Saturday - November 8, 2025
LŌKAHI Jiu-Jitsu Collective is thrilled to announce our very first seminar guest… JUSTIN ‘J.FLO’ FLORES! A world-class coach with a rare blend of Division I wrestling, Olympic-level Judo, and high-level Jiu-Jitsu, J.Flo will be sharing his dynamic, artistic approach to stand-up grappling.
More details to come!
Collective Member Spotlight
This month we feature one of the head coaches for our Youth program,
CONNOR GILLEN!
Connor has been combing his hair in preparation to play the leading role of ‘Danny’ in Grease since his 5th birthday. His laugh is the stuff of legends and also his primary defense against strenuous warm-ups. When not on the mats, he can be found playing disc golf or helping his father in their family’s painting business.
Some fun facts about Coach Connor:
Favorite technique: The Berimbolo
Favorite meal: Chinese buffet… all of it!
Spirit animal: Elephants - for their intelligence and strength in numbers.
Read Coach Connor’s full bio:
Additional Collective Member Spotlights
Congratulations to MIKE BROWN on being awarded his Jiu-Jitsu Brown Belt! A staple of the morning crew, Mike has been with LŌKAHI since our very first class. His brown belt was awarded by Legacy Jiu-Jitsu’s Professor Ed Shobe, a fantastic resource and pillar of our community.
Upcoming AUGUST Birthdays
Wishing all of our Collective Members a very happy birthday!
1st - Mike Brown
3rd - Theo Cure
8th - Michael Pflueger
11th - Dominic Leuck
17th - Alex Parker
18th - Connie Blanco
24th - Jason Bartholmew
26th - Adelynn Locklear
28th - Danielle Locklear
30th - TJ Bolamperti
Pictured: Roen Gourley after a well-deserved victory at his first tournament. First class March 10, 2025.
“Lōkahi Jiu Jitsu collective is the best place in Omaha to learn Jiu Jitsu. The community is what makes this place special. The coaches inspire you to push yourself on and off the mats and the athletes are always eager to welcome new training partners. Regardless of experience level, Lōkahi Jiu Jitsu has a place for everyone, a perfect environment to develop your skills and your character. Lōkahi is the real deal.
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