An Elmira-based martial arts school is sending a team to Central America this fall to take part in an international competition, and is seeking community help to raise funds for the trip.
Ten competitors and coaches from American Family Karate & Jujitsu, based at 103 Hoffman St. in Elmira, will travel to Santo Domingo Xenacoj, Guatemala, Oct. 9-11 for the 2026 World Sport Jujitsu Championships.
The group will be part of a much larger United States delegation bringing together athletes, coaches and families from martial arts schools across the country.
For the student athletes, the trip represents an opportunity to compete against athletes from at least ten other nations, experience another culture and represent the Southern Tier and the United States before an international audience, according to Team AFK Jujitsu owner and instructor Shawnie Brown.
"There is something powerful about seeing a community come together behind its athletes," Brown said. "These students have trained for years for opportunities like this. When they step onto that competition floor in Guatemala, they will be carrying the encouragement of their families, teammates, local businesses and hometown with them."
#brown
Ten competitors and coaches from American Family Karate & Jujitsu, based at 103 Hoffman St. in Elmira, will travel to Santo Domingo Xenacoj, Guatemala, Oct. 9-11 for the 2026 World Sport Jujitsu Championships.
The group will be part of a much larger United States delegation bringing together athletes, coaches and families from martial arts schools across the country.
For the student athletes, the trip represents an opportunity to compete against athletes from at least ten other nations, experience another culture and represent the Southern Tier and the United States before an international audience, according to Team AFK Jujitsu owner and instructor Shawnie Brown.
"There is something powerful about seeing a community come together behind its athletes," Brown said. "These students have trained for years for opportunities like this. When they step onto that competition floor in Guatemala, they will be carrying the encouragement of their families, teammates, local businesses and hometown with them."
#brown
3 months ago
