Jonathan Thomas: A Rising Star in the World of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
As one of the fastest-growing martial arts in the world, BJJ has attracted a diverse array of talented practitioners. Among them is Jonathan Thomas, a rising star in the BJJ community who has made a name for himself with his impressive skills and dedication to the sport. Here we take a look at Jon’s background, competitive history and impact in the community of BJJ.
Early Life and Introduction to BJJ
Jonathan Thomas (more commonly known as Jon) was born on August 25 1986 St Louis, Missouri, where he grew up. From a young age, he showed a natural aptitude for athletics and competition. It wasn’t until his teenage years, however, that he discovered BJJ and became deeply interested in the martial art.
Thomas began training at a local BJJ academy, where he quickly impressed his instructors with his natural talent and relentless work ethic. He dedicated himself to training, often putting in extra hours on the mat to hone his skills all while pursuing a degree in engineering mathematics.
After earning his purple belt in 2008, Thomas decided to postpone his entry to the job market in order to train BJJ full time with one of his idols, Rubens “Cobrinha” Charles, at the Alliance Headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.
After two years in Atlanta, Thomas moved to Washington DC and began working a job in the satellite industry, training at this time with Ryan Hall However, he eventually left this career to return to Atlanta and rejoin Alliance, where he was promoted to black belt by Lucas Lepri and Master Romero Cavalcanti in late 2013. Thomas has also worked as a coach at the Valhalla Jiu-Jitsu academy in Göteborg, Sweden.
These days he spends much of his time in Sweden but also travelling around the world doing seminars and engaging with the community.
Competitive Success and Accomplishments
Thomas’s hard work and dedication to BJJ paid off in the form of numerous competitive achievements. At the regional level, he won numerous tournaments and earned his way to the top of the rankings.
HIs success continued beyond the regional and national level as he went on to win and medal in Pan-American and World IBJJF championships, earning a reputation as one of the top BJJ competitors in the United States.
Here’s some highlights of his competitive results:
| Year | Tournament | Placing |
| 2016 | World Jiu-Jitsu Championship | 1st Place |
| 2017 | International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation’s World Championship | 2nd Place |
| 2018 | Pan American Championship | 1st Place |
| 2019 | No-Gi World Championship | 3rd Place |
| 2020 | European Open | 1st Place |
In addition to his competitive achievements, Thomas is also known for his contributions to the wider BJJ community. He has taught seminars and clinics around the country, sharing his knowledge and experience with other practitioners.
Future Goals and Aspirations
Despite his many accomplishments, Thomas is far from finished with his journey in BJJ. He has his sights set on the competing at the highest levels including the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation’s World Championship.
In addition to competing at the highest level, Thomas is also committed to helping grow the sport of BJJ and inspiring the next generation of practitioners. He is an ambassador for the martial art, and is dedicated to spreading the benefits of BJJ to as many people as possible.
Jon is a rising star in the world of BJJ, with a long list of competitive accomplishments and a bright future ahead of him. He is a dedicated athlete and ambassador for the sport, and we are all excited to see what the future holds for him!
Social links
If you want to stay up to date with Jon check out his channels and social media:
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JonThomasBJJ
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonthomasbjj/?hl=en
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