Ten competitors and coaches from an Elmira martial arts school are preparing to represent the Southern Tier at the 2026 World Sport Jujitsu Championships in Guatemala this fall while raising money to cover the trip.
Team AFK Jujitsu will travel to Santo Domingo Xenacoj for the Oct. 9-11 competition, where athletes from at least 10 other nations are expected to participate.
American Family Karate & Jujitsu owner and instructor Shawnie Brown has been selected as the U.S. team's self-defense coach. Students Kyle Northup and Teagan Brown were also selected for the official national team, while additional students from the Elmira academy plan to enter open world championship divisions.
The team recently competed at the Battle of Warriors tournament in Kentucky, where eight students earned 20 medals. The total included 12 gold, seven silver and one bronze medal.
Sydney Gibbs, 15, won women's black belt grand championship honors in both combat jujitsu and grappling at the Kentucky tournament, according to the academy.
Combat sport jujitsu combines strikes, kicks, throws, takedowns, grappling, chokes, joint locks and submissions under controlled tournament rules. Organizers distinguish it from mixed martial arts and offer divisions for competitors of different ages, ranks and martial arts backgrounds.
The Elmira group will join a larger U.S. delegation made up of athletes, coaches and families from schools across the country.
Team AFK has set a $35,000 fundraising goal to help cover airfare, registration, lodging, uniforms, food, travel insurance and other expenses for its competitors and coaches.
The academy is based at 103 Hoffman St. in Elmira. Sponsorship and trip information is available from Tom Brown at 607-331-7933 or TomBrown@TeamAFKJujitsu.com.
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