Friends martial their resources for Sterling jiu-jitsu academy

Justin Penaflor went from kicking butt professionally in the video game world to honing real martial arts on the mat.

About 6 years ago, the 26-year-old Sterling native and his longtime friend, Stephen Gladhill, 31, started practicing jiu-jitsu, a Brazilian type of all-ages and ability martial arts taught for self defense, competition, hobby or exercise.

“Jiu-jitsu is designed for the smaller or weaker person to defeat the bigger opponent with basic physics,” Penaflor said.

It focuses on technique and knowledge to control the aggressor or opponent in any situation, no matter how strong they are.

They would travel as far as the Quad Cities, Aurora and Chicago to practice the fighting style but found a way to bring it to their hometown a year ago.

They opened up the Carlson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Sauk Valley studio, named after the famed Brazilian jiu-jitsu artist, and moved to 1207 E. Fourth St. about 6 months ago.

Barefooted students spar on colorful mats lining the floor of the building with the instructors guiding them nearby.

“Our biggest goal was to bring jiu-jitsu to this area and get people trying it, which has been awesome,” Penaflor said.

He and Gladhill graduated from Sterling High School in 2009 and 2005, respectively, and have known each other for more than a decade.

“You should do what you love to do, and this is what we love to do,” he said.

“It’s definitely a lifestyle,” Gladhill said.

They offer lessons on jiu-jitsu, submission grappling (also known as NoGi), as well as self defense and wrestling classes.

Penaflor was a professional video-gamer prior to catching the jiu-jitsu “bug,” and Gladhill was a former wrestler.

The duo are working on growing their children’s program at the school for ages 6 to 13, which they started about 2 months ago.

Gladhill said the program can help keep kids from getting bullied while also teaching them the tenets of martial arts.

“We want kids to travel and compete and also make them good jiu-jitsu fighters,” he said.

It’s also a healthy hobby that can build confidence.

“We are trying to bring a good atmosphere to the community and something new and not as traditional as the stuff people are used to,” Penaflor said.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Carlson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Sauk Valley, 1207 E. Fourth St. Suite B, in Sterling is open 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 4 pm. to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 5 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Call 815-631-6739 or find them on Facebook for more information.