May 2026 | Episode #25
Pictured: Austin Martinez gets his hand raised after a hard-fought comeback.
There’s no better teacher than competition.
It can expose the parts of your game that feel sharp and reliable, while also revealing the habits, reactions, and technical gaps that still need refinement. For many practitioners, that level of exposure can feel intimidating, which is exactly why some avoid it altogether.
But competing was never meant to serve as a final judgment on your ability.
It provides clarity. Athletes have an opportunity to test their preparation, experience new pressures, and discover how they respond when the stakes feel higher than a normal day in the gym. For coaches, it offers insight into what’s working, what battles need greater attention, and how we can better support each student moving forward.
Win or lose, there is something extremely valuable waiting on the other side of that experience, and I’m not talking about a $2 medal.
This month, many of our athletes embraced that challenge at the Nebraska Jiu-Jitsu Championship, while others reached important milestones through our Spring Youth Promotions. While those experiences looked different, both required courage, discipline, and a willingness to grow.
Pictured: Andy Terry battled through injuries and tough matches to earn gold in his division.
Tournament Recap
Our team brought a strong group to the Nebraska Jiu-Jitsu Championship this month and delivered one of our best tournament performances to date.
LŌKAHI finished the weekend with 26 total medals (8 gold, 9 silver, and 9 bronze) while earning 3rd place overall as a team , 3rd place in youth division, and 2nd place in adult division.
We saw first-time competitors manage nerves, experienced athletes make meaningful adjustments, and several students push through difficult matches that required real composure. One standout moment came from OWEN SANCHEZ, who recorded the fastest submission of the entire tournament at just 5.9 seconds.
While we’re proud of the results, we’re even more proud of how our students carried themselves throughout the day.
Tournament Results
Youth Competitors
Abilene Martinez 🥉
Aiden Guerrero🥉
Austin Martinez🥉
Danielle Locklear🥉
Lincoln Sanchez🥉🥉
Noah Richardson🥇🥈
Owen Sanchez🥇🥈
Shoshana Locklear🥈
Silas Pflueger🥇🥈
Zydrunas Berven🥇🥈
Adult Competitors
Alexander Parker🥈
Andy Terry🥇
Jake Godwin🥈
Jake Novak🥈🥉
Lillian Locklear🥇🥈🥉
Matt Beck🥉
Quintin Black🥇
Timothy Locklear🥇
The Squad: April 11, 2026
“ If I had to choose one place to train at in Omaha, it would Lokahi every time.”
“The best place to train at in Omaha hands down. The environment, people, coaching, pricing, and especially the cleanliness (doesn’t smell of sweat like every other gym) is next level. Lokahi does an amazing job at teaching jiu jitsu whether you’re a beginner or have trained before. I loved the basics classes that Guy and Ryan taught as they break down jiu jitsu so people who have never trained before can get better week by week. This paired with Isaac’s great class on Monday’s, where it is more of a live environment, makes it fun to improve every-time you step on the mats. If I had to choose one place to train at in Omaha, it would Lokahi every time.”
Youth Promotions
Pictured: Luca Baggiani receives his Gray belt from Coaches Connor and Matt.
One of the most rewarding parts of coaching youth athletes is watching their confidence grow alongside their skill set. Our program asks kids to challenge both their minds and bodies and this group continues to show just how capable young athletes can be.
This month, we were proud to promote four young athletes to gray belt. A meaningful milestone that reflects consistent effort over a long period of time. In Jiu-Jitsu, promotions are rarely about one great day. They’re earned through steady attendance, coachability, resilience, and the willingness to keep showing up when training feels challenging.
Congratulations to our newest gray belts!!!
🔘 Noah Richardson
🔘 Luca Baggiani
🔘 Owen Sanchez
🔘 Lincoln Sanchez
LŌKAHI’s Youth Athletes - April 22, 2026
Diving Into the Psychology of Injuries
Most of us have experienced injuries in Jiu-jitsu, but one thing often ignored is how this can affect our athletic identity.
Dr. Jarrell Garcia, a Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt and researcher at the University of Rhode Island, is studying exactly that.
His study will be examines how athletic identity, injury severity, and psychological distress relate among adult Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners following injury. The goal is to better understand how strongly identifying with one's sport may relate to psychological responses when managing an injury that impacts your ability to train.
Participation involves completing a one-time anonymous online survey that takes about 8–12 minutes. All responses will be reported only in aggregate form, so there are no personal identifiers. The survey has automatic filtering that will end the survey if you don't qualify.
To review the study information and participate in his study, please use the link below:
Black Belt and University of Rhode Island Researcher, Dr. Jarrell Garcia.
What’s Coming Next for Team LŌKAHI???
Coming Soon
Announcement: New No Gi kit & Partner
June 6th
Adult Promotions
December 5th
Winter Promotions & Holiday Party
Upcoming Local Tournaments
May 9th - Submission Challenge
Lincoln, NE
May 9th - Sub Spectrum May Day
Des Moines, IA
May 16th - Grappling Industries (Cancelled)
Omaha, NE
June 6th - Nebraska Jiu-jitsu Championship Elite Series
Lincoln, NE
June 13th - American Grappling Industries
Kansas City, MO
June 27th - Newbreed Jiu Jitsu Federation
Kansas City, MO
July 11th - Grappling Industries
Kansas City, MO
July 18th - FUJI BJJ Summer Open
Kansas City, MO
“A Hui Hou”
SHARIQ KHAN
Shariq joined us exactly one year ago to complete his pre-doctoral internship at UNMC’s Munroe-Meyer Institute. He was recently awarded a position in pediatrics research Syracuse University New York’s Upstate Medical University while he finishes his dissertation. His last day will be May 18th.
RYAN HUERTH
California Ryan joined us two years ago as an incoming Freshman at the University of Nebraska - Omaha. He’ll be moving back to home in the middle of next month to find a job in Emergency Medical Services and to be with his girlfriend. His last day will be May 14th.
PARKER McCORMICK
A brown belt with a slick leg lock game, Parker joined us these past few months because of his wife’s travel nurse contract. He and his family will be returning to their home in Nashville, but hope to find their way back to Omaha. His last day will be Sunday, May 10th.
MAY Birthdays
Wishing all of our Collective Members a very happy birthday!
Austin Martinez — 5/2
Zaden Marroquin — 5/3
Kyle Booth — 5/3
Bobby Koller — 5/7
Lincoln Sanchez — 5/26
Justin Hansen — 5/31
*Don’t see your birthday? Update your profile on the app or speak with someone at the front desk!
Pictured: A bunch of crazy kids!
“We are so grateful for everything this jujitsu gym has done for our son. From day one, the instructors shout out(Coach Connor, Matt, Lillian, Tim and Ryan!) have created an environment that is structured, supportive, disciplined, and fun all at the same time. They give the kids clear instruction, encourage them through new techniques, comfort them when they get hurt, and know exactly how to keep the class respectful and focused when the energy gets a little high.
In just 10 months, our kiddo has grown tremendously — not only in skill and knowledge, but in confidence. Watching him compete and truly love this sport has been incredible as a parent. The patience, dedication, and encouragement this team gives these kids does not go unnoticed. Thank you for investing in our children, believing in them, and helping them become stronger both on and off the mat. We couldn’t be more thankful.”
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