Continuing a lifelong legacy of learning; Fifth Degree Black Belt comes to Worland to teach BJJ

Worland's Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) instructor Justin Jacobs began his class in mid-June of this year, and thanks to his journey in the sport, he's able to call for help from some of the greatest BJJ martial artists in the country.

On Oct. 1, Jacobs offered a class taught by his instructor, Rafael Lovato Sr., who made the drive from his home in Oklahoma City to Worland to help his student in training the next generation of martial artists.

Jacobs said, "It was quite the honor to have him come here. He grew up boxing as a kid in Chicago, and he went on to train in Jeet Kune Do in 1970s with proteges of Bruce Lee, the creator of that fighting style. So the Machado brothers, cousins of the Gracie family who founded Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, are partners with a gym in Los Angeles where Lovato practiced Jeet Kune Do in the 1980's. That's when he came across Brazilian Jiu Jitsu."

Lovato Sr. went on to become one of the first Americans to attain a black belt in BJJ, and today is a fifth degree black belt. His son, Rafael Lovato Jr. is one of the most celebrated athletes in the sport, having the distinction of being the first non-Brazilian to win Brasileiros in 2007, an international BJJ tournament held in Brazil. Lovato Jr. now runs the family's BJJ and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) academy in Oklahoma City.

Jacobs said that Lovato Sr. is an important figure in his life, which has been largely guided by his love of martial arts.

Growing up in Thermopolis in the 1990s, Jacobs said, "Like any other kid, I was a bit lost finding my way. I went through some challenges. My parents divorced when I was a kid, and it affected me in ways that I got into some trouble. My karate teacher was certainly an inspiration for me. He was formerly in the Air Force, and I told him that some day I wanted to be like him. Training karate gave me a purpose in life, it gave me a direction."

Jacobs did go on to join the United States Air Force where he was introduced to BJJ, and while he was posted at an air base in Oklahoma City in 2002, he ran into Lovato Sr. Jacobs said, "I trained heavily with him for six years, and have kept in touch ever since. We have that classic relationship of the student and the master, like you see in Kung Fu movies."

Jacobs went on to grow quickly in the sport and competed at a high level, winning the gold medal in the Panamerican Games in 2004 and 2008, taking second place in 2003, and being named the consolation champion of the Absolute Division also at the games in 2004.

He said, "I was very fortunate with the individuals in BJJ that I've met and trained with along the way, including Rafael and his son, Rafael Lovato Jr. who is the retired Belator middleweight champion, and the most decorated American black belt in Brazilian Jujitsu History, believe it or not."

Six years ago, Lovato Sr. came to Cheyenne to deliver Jacobs his black belt test, and gave him his second degree black belt two years ago. Jacobs received his instructor certification in San Diego with Lovato Sr.'s blessing.

Jacobs said that when he retired from the Air National Guard and moved to Worland to work at the Wyoming Boys' School last year, it became a goal of his to continue the grassroots spread of BJJ. He said, "For me, this region of the country is kind of like the final frontier for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and I wanted it to take root right here in the Big Horn Basin. One of the Machado brothers moved to Texas, Rafael Sr. moved to Oklahoma, and they have taken BJJ with them wherever they go. In this way, BJJ began in the United States on the West Coast with the Machados and the East Coast with the Gracies, and it has grown to be practiced nationwide."

"Now here working at the Boys' School, I see a lot of boys who are just like me, and I want to inspire them. Sharing Jiu Jitsu and its teachings, I can give people the confidence, discipline and fitness that it's given me. I've always felt that this area was my home, and now I've come back to continue the cycle that my karate instructor started in me," he continued.

Jacobs also adds, "As an instructor, my greatest accomplishment is the success of my students. I've won a Panamerican title, I've won championships before, but martial arts isn't about me. Right now, it's about making my students better than me, that's the greatest feeling."

He said that since beginning his BJJ program in June of this year, he's received overwhelming support. "The community in Worland has been so supportive, it's awesome. I'm seeing a lot of youth get inspiration from it, and Sheriff [Austin] Brookwell comes and trains with me and he wants to involve law enforcement in my class as well. Some of the kids I work with at the Boys' School tell me what I used to tell my karate teacher, and then Rafael: that they want to be like me someday."

At his open class that takes place four days a week in Worland, he said he has been surprised by the rapid growth of his program, saying, "I've seen tremendous progress in my students. We have close to 40 people coming to train, and the ones who stayed with us have advanced so quickly. We've had some rank testing to earn degrees toward their next belt, and already I'm thinking about splitting up the adult class to get new members caught up, and training my advanced members to become instructors. That's not a problem I expected so early."

To help, he has already tapped the shoulder of Rafael Sr. who joined him in his gym in Worland on Oct. 1, but Jacobs said this is only the beginning. He said, "I have a relationship with him [Rafael Sr.] that will last a lifetime, and we have agreed to travel to see one another at our home gyms, so we'll be seeing him again, and hopefully we'll get Rafael Jr. here too." Jacobs continues to enjoy relationships with some of the greatest athletes in American BJJ history, and said, "We're gonna have the best in the world right here in Worland."

Jacobs' BJJ classes are at the One Oak Activity Center at 1115 Obie Sue in Worland. The door to his gym is left of the main entrance.

Classes are offered for adults as well as a kids' class for ages 4 through 9; experienced students ages 10 and up are encouraged to join the adults.

Classes are held Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings: the kids' class goes from 5:15 to 6 p.m., and the adult class goes from 6 to 7 p.m., although Jacobs said some often stay until 8 p.m. A Saturday morning class is held from 7:30 to 9 a.m.

Call Jacobs at 405-812-0370 for more information on how you can get involved.