Oklahoma Ambassadors

 

 It wasn’t until Kim was 42  when she was posed with the question, “What is stopping you from achieving this dream now?”  With the realization Kim enrolled in Karate class at Apollo’s Martial Arts. She is now a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, 4th Degree Black Belt in Karate, Kickboxing, and Japanese Jiu Jitsu. She is also a 2^nd Degree Black Belt in Ketsugo (under the linage of Herald Brosious). Kiim is also a Board Member for the Oklahoma Karate Association and was recently presented a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Whirlwind Tournament Classic.

 

At age 44 Kim began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to round out her self defense training. However it wasn’t until age 46 when Kim attended a seminar given by Master Carlos Machado where Kim can say she finally understood ground fighting. It was there that Kim learned techniques that activated muscle (brain) memory allowing her brain and body to work together. Ten years later Kim is now a Brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under the RCJ Machado affiliation.

Alexis Kekiwi

Alexis is a 2 stripe Blue Belt under Lovato Black Belt, Justin Rader, in Edmond Oklahoma. She currently trains out of Legacy Martial Arts in Edmond

Alexis started her jiu-jitsu journey in 2013.  After participating in half marathons, boxing and weightlifting, she found that she still did not have the feeling of safety when out and about, especially at night.  When asked by a friend if she wanted to join in on a women’s self-defense class, she agreed.  Once she found a way to get over having someone in her “bubble”, the rest is history.

Alexis has competed in several local Jiu-Jitsu tournaments in Oklahoma.  She enjoys the skill testing and getting to roll with other females she normally would not be able to roll with, but the main reason she likes to compete is to gain friendships with competitors.  The bond created is indescribable.  She can always count on the girls to have her back no matter what.  It’s like an unspoken sisterhood.