Three white belts and a blue belt, three tournaments this fall. Here's who's competing, when, and how to show up for them.
Four Garden members are competing this fall. Three events, three Saturdays, all a short drive from the gym.
None of them are black belts. Three white belts and a blue belt, entered in adult, masters and 40+ divisions. You don't need a black belt to compete. You need to sign up and show up. Here's what it takes to compete under The Garden name.
Jonathan Jackson
Grappling Industries Philadelphia · Saturday, October 24 · Marple Sports Arena, Broomall, PA
No-Gi · Adult Male · Beginner (White) · -185 lbs
Training at The Garden since 2025.
Jashawn Kelly
Grappling Industries Philadelphia · Saturday, October 24 · Marple Sports Arena, Broomall, PA
Gi · Master (30+) · Blue · -185 lbs
No-Gi · Intermediate (Blue) · Master (30+) · -185 lbs
Two divisions in one day. Jashawn joined The Garden in August and is already on the mats in competition.
Cory Fuller
Tap Cancer Out Philadelphia BJJ Open · Saturday, November 7 · SoFive Hatfield (XL Sports Center), Hatfield, PA
Executive (40+) · White · Middleweight
A Garden member since 2024, competing at a tournament that raises money to fight cancer.
Ornel Profi
JJWL The Finals East 2026 · Saturday, November 14 · CURE Insurance Arena, Trenton, NJ
Gi · White
Training at The Garden since 2025. In his words: "Yeah I'm officially in."
How to support them
- Come watch. All three events are on Saturdays, in Broomall, Hatfield and Trenton.
- Cheer loud. A familiar voice from the side of the mat matters more than you think. That's what competing together means.
- Ride together. Carpools make the day easier for everyone.
No livestreams have been announced, so in person is the way to see it.
Thinking about your own first tournament? The October–December competition calendar has every event near Philly.
Tell a coach which Saturday you can make, and we'll sort out the rides.
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