The 2014 Masters World Championships (Athlete Journal 43)
I went 2-1 at the Masters World Championships on Saturday and earned a bronze medal. I can’t say that I’ve ever worked harder, on and
Author: James Kearns
James Kearns is a Brazilian jiu jitsu competitor and former United States Marine who began training martial arts in 2005. Starting in Taekwondo and boxing in his hometown of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, he would eventually begin training and competing in mixed martial arts. This is when James first started to train in no-gi jiu jitsu. Then, two and a half years ago, he reluctantly borrowed a gi and tried the Brazilian jiu jitsu class. James has trained in no other martial art since.
After successfully competing at the rank of blue belt for the last two years, earning six gold medals in IBJJF events and finishing the year with a gold medal in the Abu Dhabi Pro Trials adult division, James earned his purple belt in December 2013. Having set his goals high for 2014, he plans on competing six to eight times this year, including the IBJJF Masters World Championships.
Along with being an active BJJ competitor, James also trains and competes in Olympic weightlifting. Having a passion for the health and fitness industry, James is a certified personal trainer and the strength and conditioning coach at Tactical Combat Academy in Greencastle, Pennsylvania, where he focuses on individual and group program design for combat sport athletes. James is also a full time student, working on his B.S. in Sports Management.
Although training in Brazilian jiu jitsu and Olympic weightlifting, being a strength coach, and being in school keep James pretty busy, he still spends most of his time with his wife and four kids (who keep him even busier).
Posts from this author
Gold at the New York Pro (Athlete Journal 42)
After winning gold in the heavyweight and absolute divisions this past weekend at the New York Pro, I’m feeling pretty good as I get ready
A Bittersweet End to My Training Cycle (Athlete Journal 41)
The time has gone by pretty fast, and I have now finished my last full week of training before the IBJJF New York Pro and
Periodization, Rest, and Injury Prevention (Athlete Journal 40)
For the last seven months or so, I’ve been relatively injury-free. This is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, factor that has contributed
The Importance of Training at a Different Academy (Athlete Journal 39)
I’m now in the home stretch as I prepare for the Masters World Championship in November, and I’m feeling great. My BJJ training schedule has
Priorities in Life and Training (Athlete Journal 38)
Training slowed down a little bit last week. I missed two BJJ days and one strength and conditioning day. There was nothing that I could
Time to Refocus (Athlete Journal 37)
Keeping my focus is something I have mentioned several times in previous athlete journals. It plays a huge part in your success or failure in
The Value of Competition (Athlete Journal 36)
My Brazilian jiu jitsu and my strength and conditioning continue to progress nicely. This week I was a little pressed, which is typical, but I
Great Expectations (Athlete Journal 35)
Now that the Boston Open is over, it is time to start focusing on Masters World Championships in November. After my performances competing in the
Victory at the Boston Summer Open (Athlete Journal 34)
On Saturday I competed in the Boston Summer Open. What started out as an unbelievably disappointing day turned out to be one of the most
It’s Tournament Time (Athlete Journal 33)
For the eighth time this year, it’s tournament time. Even though I’ve been competing so much this year, it’s always a little more exciting going
Changing Up My Training (Athlete Journal 32)
I’m thankful for how well my training has been going lately. In the beginning of 2014 I was getting so frustrated due to poor performances
Latest News
Reviews
