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AUAB Jiu-Jitsu family

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jared Trimarchi
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar --  Being away from family during a deployment can be stressful, and many Airmen find different ways to help cope with the stress. Physical fitness has become a staple in dealing with the stressors of deployments and many Airmen have different methods of working out while deployed. Some lift weights, some join Crossfit, but there are a group of Airmen who help clear their minds through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Four instructors lead more than 300 Airmen a month at Al Udied Air Base, Qatar, to teach them an art form which requires commitment, dedication and a close attention to detail, which are all familiar traits of being in the military.

The AUAB Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club, meets seven days a week, and is open to all, beginners and veterans are welcomed.

"Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a great way to meet people, learn a new skill and it is also a great work out," said Staff Sgt. Ian Tanaka, lead instructor, assigned to the 379th Expeditionary Communications Squadron who is deployed from Yokota Air Base, Japan, and a native of Mililani, Hawaii.

According to Tanaka, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is more about technique and skill, than strength.

"When I first got into the sport I thought I was a pretty tough guy," Tanaka said. "Until a 150 pound guy made me tap out."

Although the majority of the class is made up of beginners, Tanaka said all skill levels are welcomed to attend.

Tech. Sgt. Brandon Parongao, a Jiu-Jitsu instructor, assigned to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Chapel who is from Kapa'a, Hawaii and deployed from Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., said the Jiu-Jitsu club here is more of a family than a club.

"Jiu-Jitsu is more of a lifestyle than a sport," Parongao said. "A lot of people around the world who don't have families join Ju-Jitsu and their training partners become their family. We bleed, sweat and grow together."

Master Sgt. Justin Klassen, a Ju-Jitsu participant who hails from Elizabeth, Colo. and is deployed from Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., appreciated the hard work put out by the instructors.

"The AUAB Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club provides high quality training by our very own service members, who volunteer their time to teach us a skill," Klassen said. "This instruction is very expensive in the U.S., but while here at Al Udeid it is graciously provided at no cost to those interested in learning. I am very grateful for the instructors and have learned much from them."

Although some might feel intimidated to try the sport, the classes are held at one's own pace, Tanaka said.

"Sometimes we have students who are shy getting on the mats, but the instructors will never make you do anything you are not comfortable doing," Tanaka said. "Females sometimes can be a little hesitant when first trying out, but they actually do really well because they must rely on technique rather than strength."

According to Tanaka, the greatest part of teaching Jiu-Jitsu is helping someone achieve their goals.

"When we have a student reach their goal, whether it be to learn self-defense or to get into better shape, it's always a humbling feeling to know I was a part of making those goals happen," Tanaka said.

The AUAB Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club meets at 6:30 p.m. at the Coalition Compound Gymnasium.