Jiu-Jitsu is a grappling-based martial art that can also include striking, throwing, and stand-up techniques, in addition to strategies combating weapon or surprise attacks. Over 3 million people practice jiu-jitsu worldwide, and one of those people is Granada High’s own principal, Clark Conover, who just won the World Master IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Tournament for his division.
Mr. Conover has been consistently practicing jiu-jitsu for about a year and a few months now. His favorite part of practicing is the atmosphere at his gym, JG Academy, and the help everyone can provide each other. Mr. Conover was a wrestler in high school, and he says “the skills I developed with wrestling definitely help me with jiu-jitsu.” More specifically, one-on-one physical combat, body control, and positioning are carried over into his jiu-jitsu training. He tries to practice a minimum of two days a week, but he loves to go to his gym and do as much as he can.
Mr. Conover’s training regimen varies by day, but it often consists of going over techniques, reviewing or learning something new, and then practicing live sparring. “I love competing, like at anything, and so my idea was to go compete and see what I could do, but part of me really likes to win too,” noted Mr. Conover. He had four fights, first against a man from Washington, then San Diego, Germany, and finally New York. Mr. Conover remarks he’s glad he won because it “sets [him] up for new challenges.”
Principal Conover offered advice to students who wish to learn jiu-jitsu, mentioning that Livermore has some good gyms, many of which give free trials, but most importantly, “the easy way to learn anything is to just do it.”
