A Russell County martial artist is taking an unbeaten string of tournament finishes to the world stage this weekend.
Jacob Roy is headed to Guatemala for the World Sport Jujitsu Championships, scheduled for Friday thru Sunday, the 9th thru 11th, in Santo Domingo Xenacoj.
WJRS NEWS talked with Roy late Wednesday afternoon while he and family were waiting to board a flight from Miami to Guatemala City.
Roy said he began training at Wade’s Martial Arts Academy in Russell Springs just over three years ago, when he was sixteen. His dad encouraged him to give it a try, and Jacob says he enjoyed it from the beginning.
Since then, he has trained every Monday and Thursday at Wade’s. He occasionally trains at other facilities, but remains committed to those twice-weekly sessions in Russell Springs.
That dedication has helped Roy earn three first-place finishes this year. He won American Sport Jujitsu League tournaments in Tennessee and Somerset, then took top honors at a national event in Virginia a couple of months ago.
Roy says one of the most important parts of preparing for competition is cardio training.
As he heads into international competition, Roy says he takes pride in representing his hometown, Kentucky and the United States. He also sees the world tournament as an opportunity to share God’s light.
The championships will bring together martial artists from around the world. For Roy, the goal is to give his absolute best every time he steps onto the competition floor.
Jacob Roy heads into this weekend’s world championships following three first-place finishes, with a chance to add an international title to his accomplishments.