JONESBORO, Ark. – Brazilian Jiu Jitsu continues to grow in popularity for all ages and one local teen is taking his interest in the sport to the state level – and winning big.
Noah Robinson is 14-years-old and is a devoted trainee under Dan “Landshark” Paige, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt and Japanese Jiu-Jitsu black belt in Jonesboro. Robinson can be seen practicing on the mats at Hilltop Fitness on Old Greensboro Road in Jonesboro. He has been training for eight months with Paige. Although he is often rolling with larger opponents, Paige will warn his seemingly advantaged opponent to, “be careful. He’ll break your arm.”
The warning is given with good cause.
So on April 22, when the American Grappling Federation hosted the State Championships in Jackson, Miss., it was too close for Paige not to show off his star pupil. Over the weekend, both traveled to the event, where Robinson dominated. In the finals of the gi tournament, Robinson scored 22 points and gave up none to his opponent. He eventually won two gold medals at the event – one for gi and one for no gi (the martial arts garb worn in BJJ).
For Paige, he said it was the best feeling of his career.
“Seeing one of my students perform and grow as a martial artists is my greatest accomplishment,” Paige said. “Seeing his confidence grow is a beautiful experience”
Robinson’s accomplishments weren’t just rewarded with his coach’s pride. He was also promoted on the stand to a new IBJJF juvenile belt ranking – gray with a black stripe.
See Robinson in action here (in the blue)
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