We had a great day at our Haven Kids Competition on May 16th!

With just under 100 kids participating, the mats were busy all day with plenty of action, encouragement, and excitement. Whether it was a child’s first competition or they had competed before, everyone had the chance to test their skills, challenge themselves, and gain valuable experience.

One of the best parts of the day was seeing the sportsmanship on display. Our students supported one another, competed hard, and represented their teams well. Most importantly, everyone stayed safe, had fun, and left with smiles on their faces.

A huge thank you goes out to our coaches, referees, volunteers, and parents who helped make the event run smoothly. We’d also like to thank the many local schools that brought students to compete. We love seeing kids from different academies come together, test themselves, make new friends, and help grow a positive competition scene here in Central New York.

Our goal with these competitions has always been to provide a fun, safe, and welcoming environment where kids of all experience levels can experience competition without the pressure that sometimes comes with larger events. This competition was another great example of that.

We’re already looking forward to the next one and plan to host another Haven Kids Competition this fall.

Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make it such a fun day. We can’t wait to do it again!

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This past weekend, a group from the Haven Jiu Jitsu competition team traveled to compete at the IBJJF Boston Open.

Representing Haven Jiu Jitsu were Omar Phillips, Josh Smith, Dustin Cowles, Justin Streeter, Michael Zinkovitch, Jason Iorio, Richard White Jr., and Nick Newman. We also had Meghan Anderson, Brittany Carlisle, and Destiny Schneider from our affiliate school, Oswego Jiu Jitsu, competing at the event as well.

Competing at an IBJJF tournament is never easy. It takes a lot of training, preparation, and willingness to put yourself out there against tough competition. Every match is a chance to learn and improve, regardless of the outcome.

We’re proud of everyone who stepped on the mats this weekend and represented Haven Jiu Jitsu well. Most of our competitors were also able to make the podium and finish in the top 3 of their divisions.

A few highlights from the weekend included Dustin Cowles earning his first first-place finish at purple belt, and Nick Newman taking first in his division and third in the absolute division.

Thank you to all of the coaches, teammates, friends, and family members who continue to support our competitors along the way.

Next up for the team is the IBJJF New Jersey Open this June.

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This past Saturday, April 25th, two of our Haven Muay Thai fighters stepped into the cage at Art of Combat.

There’s a certain level of respect owed to anyone who makes that walk. It’s easy to train when you’re comfortable. It’s different when the lights are on, the crowd is watching, and everything you’ve worked on gets tested in real time.

Both of our guys stepped up and embraced that challenge.

Stepping Into the Fire

Fight night always reveals things you just can’t replicate in the gym—timing, pressure, adrenaline, decision-making. It’s where growth happens the fastest, even if it doesn’t always feel like it in the moment.

Jose Martinez and Justin Rivera both gained that experience this weekend. They put themselves in a position to learn, to grow, and to move forward with a clearer understanding of what it takes at the next level.

What This Is Really About

At Haven, competition isn’t just about outcomes—it’s about development.

It’s about:

– Testing yourself when it’s uncomfortable

– Finding your gaps and working to close them

– Building confidence through real experience

These are the steps that shape better fighters over time.

Back to Work

We’re proud of both Jose and Justin for representing Haven and for having the courage to step in there.

Now it’s back to the gym—refining, improving, and continuing the process.

That’s what this path looks like.

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Last night (Saturday, March 21st), we had three of our guys step into the ring at the Palace Theater for a kickboxing event.

Ian, Jose, and Tyson all went out there and competed.

Tyson came away with a decision win—looked sharp, stayed composed, and did what he needed to do to get his hand raised.

Ian and Jose came up short, but they both fought hard. No excuses, no backing down. They showed up, stepped in, and gave it what they had.

That’s not something most people are willing to do.

It’s easy to celebrate wins—but nights like this are about more than that. It’s about showing up, putting yourself out there, and representing your team the right way. All three of them did that.

Proud of these guys.

Everybody, thank you…

AND THIS IS STILL MY BOY.

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This past weekend at Grappling Industries Syracuse, our team delivered one of the strongest performances in Haven Jiu Jitsu history.

When the final numbers were tallied, the results spoke for themselves:

 Overall Team – Adults

1st Place – Haven Jiu Jitsu

3,217 Points

 Overall Team – Kids & Teens

1st Place – Haven Jiu Jitsu

4,465 Points

Winning one division is impressive. Winning both — by significant margins — reflects something deeper than just talent. It reflects culture.

More Than Medals

Points don’t lie. But they also don’t tell the full story.

Behind every number were:

• First-time competitors stepping onto the mat with courage

• Kids battling through nerves and adversity

• Adults pushing through tough brackets

• Teammates coaching, cornering, and supporting one another

What stood out most wasn’t just the wins — it was the composure, the sportsmanship, and the unity.

A Bigger Milestone

Because of this performance, Haven Jiu Jitsu is now:

• #5 in North America

• #7 in the World for overall rankings in Grappling Industries.

That kind of global positioning doesn’t happen by accident. It comes from consistent training, disciplined preparation, and a team-first mentality.

And to be clear — rankings are earned over time. They’re built through showing up event after event, not just one good day.

The Standard We Train By

At Haven, competition isn’t about chasing trophies. It’s about:

• Testing ourselves under pressure

• Representing our academy with integrity

• Building resilient kids and disciplined adults

• Growing together

The medals are a byproduct.

The real victory is watching our students grow — technically, mentally, and personally.

Gratitude

To our athletes: you stepped up.

To our parents: your support makes the kids’ program what it is.

To our coaches and teammates: the preparation showed.

And to everyone who continues to trust Haven Jiu Jitsu with their training — this result belongs to you.

We’re proud.

We’re grateful.

And we’re just getting started.

— Haven Jiu Jitsu

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On November 22nd, a group of Haven Jiu Jitsu athletes stepped onto the mats at the IBJJF New Jersey International Open, one of the most competitive regional tournaments on the IBJJF calendar. Competing against schools from across the region, our team represented Haven with grit, composure, and technical excellence.

We’re proud to share that several Haven competitors reached the podium, earning multiple gold medals along with additional podium finishes across their divisions.

More Than Medals

While podium finishes are always worth celebrating, what stood out most was how our athletes competed.

Calm under pressure

Respectful toward opponents and referees

Committed to fundamentals and game plans

Willing to test themselves at a high level

IBJJF tournaments demand a high degree of precision, conditioning, and mental focus. Our athletes rose to that challenge and showed the results of consistent training and disciplined preparation.

Team Effort, Team Culture

Competition is never just about the individual. Every match reflects the hours spent training with teammates, the coaches offering guidance, and the culture built day-to-day on the mats. Whether athletes walked away with gold, silver, bronze, or valuable experience, each competitor contributed to the overall success of the team.

We’re especially proud of the way our athletes supported one another throughout the day—cornering matches, warming each other up, and celebrating wins together.

Looking Ahead

Events like the IBJJF New Jersey International Open remind us why we train the way we do at Haven Jiu Jitsu: with intention, humility, and long-term growth in mind. Competition is just one piece of the journey, and our team continues to take meaningful steps forward with each event.

Congratulations to all of our competitors on a strong showing and well-earned results. We’re excited to keep building, learning, and representing Haven Jiu Jitsu on and off the mats.

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We Had Over 110 Kids Step Onto the Mats!

On Saturday, November 15th, we held our Haven Jiu Jitsu In-House Kids Competition — and it ended up being one of our biggest kids events ever. We had over 110 kids signed up, and the energy in the room from start to finish was awesome.

A Great Day for the Kids

From weigh-ins to the last matches of the afternoon, the kids really showed up. Some were competing for the very first time, some had been here before, but every single one of them put their heart into it. We saw a lot of growth, a lot of good attitudes, and plenty of smiles once the nerves settled.

This is exactly why we run these in-house events — to give kids a chance to compete in a fun, familiar environment without the pressure of a huge tournament.

Big Thanks to Everyone Who Helped

A huge thank-you to our coaches for getting the kids ready and coaching matside all day.

Thank you to the volunteers who helped things run smoothly.

And of course, thank you to all the parents and families who came out, supported, and cheered. Days like this don’t happen without all of you.

What’s Next

Because of the turnout and how well everything went, we’re planning to host two of these in-house kids competitions every year moving forward. The kids get so much out of them, and we want to keep creating opportunities like this.

We also have plans for other styles of competitions and skill events, so stay tuned — we’re excited to roll out more ways for the kids to challenge themselves and have fun.

Proud of All Our Haven Kids

Every kid who stepped on the mat should be proud of themselves. It was a great day for our program, and we’re already looking forward to the next competition.

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What an amazing week for Haven Jiu Jitsu at the IBJJF Master Worlds 2025 in Las Vegas! Our team brought a ton of heart, hard work, and grit to the mats on one of the biggest stages in the sport. The highlight was Hannah Wight taking home Haven’s first world title and getting promoted to Purple Belt. But every single athlete who competed made us proud.

—

Joe started strong with a bye in his first match, then crushed his second. In the quarterfinals, he had a tough battle against the eventual world champion and came up short, but he looked fantastic all day and showed he belongs at the highest level.

Jason put on a great performance, taking third place at Worlds. He looked sharp like always, winning his first two matches with strong passing and slick k-guard work. A podium finish at Worlds is no small feat, and we’re super proud of him.

Rob and Will both had tough opening matches. The results didn’t go their way, but they fought hard and showed grit and composure.

Obi and Omar each won their first two matches in style before falling just short in their third bouts. Both losses came in close matches that kept them off the podium, but they showed toughness and skill every step of the way.

Jeff Reisner took on one of the biggest opponents we’ve ever seen and still came out on top in his first match. His second was against the No. 2 seed, where he fought hard and looked sharp despite the loss.

Laura battled through a tough division, showing a ton of heart and walking away with two bronze medals.

Doug had an outstanding run, taking second place in one of the biggest brackets of the tournament. His composure and technique were on full display.

Jerry had a very tough first-round draw. He gave everything he had against a great opponent and showed the Haven spirit the whole way.

Dustin Cowles started the day on fire, racking up 16 points before getting a submission. He then lost a razor-close second match but looked excellent throughout.

Dan fought hard but dropped his opening match by points.

Dickie White won his first match by points, submitted his second opponent, and then came up short in a close third match.

Brett battled hard through a tough division but fell short in his match.

Jason Ladd once again showed why he’s one of Haven’s most consistent competitors, taking third place at Purple Belt Worlds. He has now medaled at Worlds for two straight years—and at two different belts.

—

Hannah Makes History

The biggest story of the week was Hannah Wight. She dominated her division, took first place, and became Haven’s very first World Champion. To top it off, she earned her Purple Belt, a huge milestone in her journey.

Hannah’s results are even more inspiring when you know her story. She started Jiu Jitsu in a basement during COVID, often battling crippling anxiety just to make it to training. She’s dealt with shoulder issues that doctors said might keep her from ever competing. But five years later, she’s a World Champion who also helps run Haven’s women’s program, coaches kids, and still trains five or more days a week.

Her journey is a true testament to what hard work, perseverance, and grit can accomplish. We couldn’t be prouder—not just for her medal and promotion, but for the example she sets as a role model at Haven Jiu Jitsu.

—

A Weekend to Remember

Looking back on IBJJF Master Worlds 2025 in Las Vegas, we couldn’t be prouder of everyone who stepped on the mats. Our athletes represented Haven Jiu Jitsu, Central New York, and each other with courage and heart.

This was more than just medals—it was about proving who we are as a team: resilient, united, and always ready for the next challenge.

Congratulations, Haven Jiu Jitsu. Next stop: Japan.

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On April 5th, we hosted our third Haven In-House Kids Competition—and what an incredible day it was! Over 120 kids hit the mats, bringing awesome energy, great attitudes, and a whole lot of heart.

One of the best parts? We had kids from 8 different schools come out to compete. It was amazing seeing so many teams come together with one goal: giving these young grapplers a chance to grow, learn, and gain real experience in a supportive setting.

This event isn’t about winning or losing—it’s about showing up, testing yourself, and getting better. Every single kid walked away a little tougher, a little smarter, and hopefully, a little more in love with Jiu Jitsu.

Huge thanks to all the parents, coaches, and volunteers who helped make it all happen. Events like this don’t work without your support, and we’re so grateful to have such a strong community behind us.

We’re already looking ahead to the next one. Our goal is to host two of these every year, and we’ll keep everyone posted once the next date is locked in!

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At the end of March, a group from Haven Jiu Jitsu traveled down to Florida to compete in the IBJJF Pan Championship—one of the biggest events in the sport.

We’re proud to share that Hannah Wight, Jason Iorio, and Laura Monroe all brought home Gold medals, showing strong performances and great composure on the mats.

We’re proud of everyone who competed. Stepping into a tournament like Pans takes serious dedication and courage, and our team showed up with heart. It was a great experience for all who made the trip, and one we’ll keep building on.

Big thanks to everyone who helped make it happen. Let’s keep getting better, together.

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