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An Elmira-based martial arts school is sending a team to Central America this fall to take part in an international competition, and is seeking community help to raise funds for the trip.
Ten competitors and coaches from American Family Karate & Jujitsu, based at 103 Hoffman St. in Elmira, will travel to Santo Domingo Xenacoj, Guatemala, Oct. 9-11 for the 2026 World Sport Jujitsu Championships.
The group will be part of a much larger United States delegation bringing together athletes, coaches and families from martial arts schools across the country.
For the student athletes, the trip represents an opportunity to compete against athletes from at least ten other nations, experience another culture and represent the Southern Tier and the United States before an international audience, according to Team AFK Jujitsu owner and instructor Shawnie Brown.
"There is something powerful about seeing a community come together behind its athletes," Brown said. "These students have trained for years for opportunities like this. When they step onto that competition floor in Guatemala, they will be carrying the encouragement of their families, teammates, local businesses and hometown with them."
Brown has been selected to serve as the U.S. Team’s self-defense coach. Students Kyle Northup and Brown's daughter Teagan Brown will be part of the official U.S. Team, and additional Team AFK Jujitsu students will compete in the open World Championship divisions, Brown said.
The team heading to Guatemala is battle tested. At the recent Battle of Warriors tournament in Kentucky, eight Team AFK Jujitsu students earned a combined 20 medals, including 12 gold, seven silver and one bronze.
Fifteen-year-old Sydney Gibbs also earned Women’s Black Belt Grand Championship honors in both combat jujitsu and grappling, Brown said.
Among the American Family Karate & Jujitsu team members who will be traveling to Guatemala this fall is Dakota Rinker.
Dakota's mother, Melissa Rinker, has nothing but good things to say about the program. She said watching Dakota and other students go through the training has been an amazing experience.
"The instructors don’t just teach martial arts — they teach respect, discipline, confidence, accountability, and what it means to work hard for something you really want," Melissa Rinker said.
"Making Team USA isn’t something that’s handed to these kids. They’ve spent countless hours training, pushing themselves, and making sacrifices to earn this opportunity," she said. "Seeing Dakota and his teammates qualify to represent our country at the Worlds level in Guatemala is something our family is incredibly proud of."
The opportunity to travel internationally, learn about other cultures and compete against fellow athletes from around the world are experiences that will stay with Dakota and the other students for the rest of their lives, Rinker said.
"I hope our community rallies behind these kids. They’ve worked incredibly hard to get here, and every bit of support helps make this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity possible," she said. "The lessons they’ve learned through this program have prepared them for opportunities like this, and I can’t wait to see where this experience takes them next."
Team AFK Jujitsu has established a $35,000 fundraising goal to help cover travel expenses. Estimated costs include airfare, tournament registration, lodging, team uniforms, food, incidentals and travel insurance.
Local businesses and organizations are invited to participate through sponsorship levels ranging from $250 to $5,000, Brown said.
Depending on the sponsorship level, participating businesses may receive recognition on Team AFK Jujitsu warmup jackets, the official Worlds Team banner, promotional materials, social media coverage and updates throughout the team’s journey, she said.
"This is an opportunity for local businesses to do more than place a logo on a jacket," Brown said. "They can become part of a story about local students working hard, representing their country and discovering how large the world can become when a community believes in them."
For more information, go to teamafkjujitsu.com.
This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Elmira martial arts team off to international competition. How to help
Continue reading...
Ten competitors and coaches from American Family Karate & Jujitsu, based at 103 Hoffman St. in Elmira, will travel to Santo Domingo Xenacoj, Guatemala, Oct. 9-11 for the 2026 World Sport Jujitsu Championships.
The group will be part of a much larger United States delegation bringing together athletes, coaches and families from martial arts schools across the country.
For the student athletes, the trip represents an opportunity to compete against athletes from at least ten other nations, experience another culture and represent the Southern Tier and the United States before an international audience, according to Team AFK Jujitsu owner and instructor Shawnie Brown.
"There is something powerful about seeing a community come together behind its athletes," Brown said. "These students have trained for years for opportunities like this. When they step onto that competition floor in Guatemala, they will be carrying the encouragement of their families, teammates, local businesses and hometown with them."
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Brown has been selected to serve as the U.S. Team’s self-defense coach. Students Kyle Northup and Brown's daughter Teagan Brown will be part of the official U.S. Team, and additional Team AFK Jujitsu students will compete in the open World Championship divisions, Brown said.
The team heading to Guatemala is battle tested. At the recent Battle of Warriors tournament in Kentucky, eight Team AFK Jujitsu students earned a combined 20 medals, including 12 gold, seven silver and one bronze.
Fifteen-year-old Sydney Gibbs also earned Women’s Black Belt Grand Championship honors in both combat jujitsu and grappling, Brown said.
Parent has praise for martial arts program
Among the American Family Karate & Jujitsu team members who will be traveling to Guatemala this fall is Dakota Rinker.
Dakota's mother, Melissa Rinker, has nothing but good things to say about the program. She said watching Dakota and other students go through the training has been an amazing experience.
"The instructors don’t just teach martial arts — they teach respect, discipline, confidence, accountability, and what it means to work hard for something you really want," Melissa Rinker said.
You must be registered for see images attach
"Making Team USA isn’t something that’s handed to these kids. They’ve spent countless hours training, pushing themselves, and making sacrifices to earn this opportunity," she said. "Seeing Dakota and his teammates qualify to represent our country at the Worlds level in Guatemala is something our family is incredibly proud of."
The opportunity to travel internationally, learn about other cultures and compete against fellow athletes from around the world are experiences that will stay with Dakota and the other students for the rest of their lives, Rinker said.
"I hope our community rallies behind these kids. They’ve worked incredibly hard to get here, and every bit of support helps make this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity possible," she said. "The lessons they’ve learned through this program have prepared them for opportunities like this, and I can’t wait to see where this experience takes them next."
How the public can help
Team AFK Jujitsu has established a $35,000 fundraising goal to help cover travel expenses. Estimated costs include airfare, tournament registration, lodging, team uniforms, food, incidentals and travel insurance.
Local businesses and organizations are invited to participate through sponsorship levels ranging from $250 to $5,000, Brown said.
You must be registered for see images attach
Depending on the sponsorship level, participating businesses may receive recognition on Team AFK Jujitsu warmup jackets, the official Worlds Team banner, promotional materials, social media coverage and updates throughout the team’s journey, she said.
"This is an opportunity for local businesses to do more than place a logo on a jacket," Brown said. "They can become part of a story about local students working hard, representing their country and discovering how large the world can become when a community believes in them."
For more information, go to teamafkjujitsu.com.
This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Elmira martial arts team off to international competition. How to help
Continue reading...
