Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Heart and Head Go to the Mat in Edmonds

Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Now there’s three words with the power to intimidate. During a recent trek to the new Edmonds Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu studio in Firdale Village, I feared an introduction to Rex Kwon-Do, the laughably narcissistic he-man from Napoleon Dynamite.

Instead, I was greeted by someone who reminded me a lot of myself.

Owner Griff Sombke, who opened his business on Feb. 1, climbed out of his car and shook my hand. It didn’t break; that was a good sign. Inside, as he wiped down a large blue mat with a special solution before that night’s session (“It kills MRSA; you have to be pretty religious about cleaning”), my outlook brightened some more.

“About six years ago, I was a two-pack-a-day smoker,” Sombke said, finishing up his cleaning and stepping into jiu-jitsu clothes. “I was out of shape. I can beat anyone’s story.”

Wanting to get back in shape, he zeroed in on training at a school in Ballard called Gracie Barra, an affiliate of a Brazilian jiu-jitsu association headed by Carlos Gracie Jr. He’s the son of Carlos Gracie, who gave the sport its own twist after learning the basics from a Japanese emigrant to Brazil, Otavio Mitsuyo Maeda.

Sombke, who had an office job at AT&T (“I was the guy who fixed your computer”), saw results immediately. He’s in good shape, and his stamina has improved, but you’d still take him for an average Joe on the street. Just one that could probably take you—definitely me—down on the mat.

Sombke has learned a lot about jiu-jitu in his six years of training. He’ll tell you that it traces its roots to judo and has some similarities to wresting, but is defined by its mixed martial arts, grappling and self-defense. There’s a lot of leverage involved, which means a smaller person can mix it up with a larger opponent.

There’s also an important mental aspect to the sport. “It’s not just fighting,” said Sombke, who added that he’s enrolled people of all ages. “It teaches you a whole new way of looking at problems. Jiu-jitsu values efficiency. It’ll make you more self-assured, more confident. When you do this a lot, you tend not to sweat life’s little things.”

Proficiency takes effort, like anything worth learning. “For the first three months, I was horrible,” Sombke said. “I couldn’t even make it through warm-ups.”

Eventually, I could tell Sombke was anxious to get down to business. After all, three students had arrived: Chris Arceo, 36, of Edmonds; Paul Delany, 28, of Kenmore; and Nick Cung, 29, of Seattle. Their experience ranged from a couple of weeks to a month. Once again, average guys (women are welcome too, of course).

“Normally I run, so this is a different type of stamina,” said Arceo. After several minutes of grappling and maneuvering, both he and Sombke are breathing heavily. Good cardio.

“I’m addicted,” said Nick Cung, watching the two practicing their moves. “I hike and jog, too, but I wanted to do something different. And I’ve learned so much already.”

Sombke and several of his students will be participating in an event May 21 in Sumner. Sombke, who also is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu referee, has earned his share of victories, but keeps one thing in mind. “This will humble you constantly. I understand that no matter how good I get, there’s going to be someone out there that is better than me.”

Edmonds Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is located at 9659 Firdale Ave. in the Firdale Village Shopping Center. A three-month special is now available for new students. The fee includes a private lesson to gets students started correctly. For more information, e-mail griff@edmondsbjj.com or call 206-372-2858.