Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel    
    
        Special Victims Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Article View
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 Ohio Air Guard Member Wins Jiu-Jitsu World Championship By Staff Sgt. Mikayla Gibbs,
                121st Air Refueling Wing
 COLUMBUS, Ohio – When Wendy Kuhn first walked into a Brazilian jiu-jitsu class seven years ago, she didn’t know what to expect. She had no idea she would become a world champion. Tech. Sgt. Kuhn, an Ohio Air National Guard public affairs specialist at the 121st Air Refueling Wing, said she had been looking for a new way to stay active since going to the gym had become boring. “I thought about trying something like kickboxing,” she said. “I wanted to do something fitness in nature, but not self-defense or combat sports.” She said a friend recommended a gym. “I go in, and they are not kickboxing; they are rolling on the ground,” she said. “I was a little concerned with that, and I was actually tempted to leave.” Kuhn tried a couple of classes the gym offered, and she realized she preferred jiu-jitsu, which focuses on grappling and ground fighting, compared to Muay Thai, which involves striking. “I became obsessed with going,” she said. “And the more I got into it, the less it was about being fit. It has made me appreciate more what my body is capable of and not so much what it looks like.” Three months after Kuhn started practicing jiu-jitsu, she competed in her first tournament. She said she both loves and hates tournaments. “I love them because every time I prepare for one, I increase my skills,” she said. “During the intense training two months out, my skill goes through the roof. And even if I don’t do well in a tournament, I know I gained more skill.” The part she hates is how nervous she gets before a tournament. “I love the preparation; I love the camaraderie,” she said. “My team and my military family are a great support. I get very nervous that I’m not going to do well and that I’m going to let everybody down even though I know that’s not the case.” She realized that even if she didn’t do well in a tournament, the mistakes were correctable, and she gained the skills to improve. In 2018, she competed in Las Vegas in the World Master International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) Jiu-Jitsu Championship. She received bronze in her division, but she said she felt like she had given up while competing. Kuhn returned to Las Vegas in 2021 with new goals. Her determination paid off, and Kuhn was named the world champion in her division. “It was probably one of the top 10 moments in my life,” she said. “I didn’t expect to win.” Kuhn is the first person from her gym, Grove City Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy, to win a world championship. In 2022 she competed again at the IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship, and she said she felt the pressure of last year’s experience. “My mind told me that if I lose, last year was a fluke,” she said. “Maybe I just had a good day.” She won again and became the Master Four Purple Belt World Champion for a second time. When she returned home, she was surprised to be promoted to brown belt. Chief Master Sgt. Troy Taylor, the Ohio Air National Guard command chief and former 121st ARW command chief, also trains at Grove City Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy. “Of the thousands of people in Ohio and millions who train worldwide, only a handful have become world champions, let alone a two-time world champion,” said Taylor. “Sgt. Kuhn is a testament to perseverance, effort and her ability to focus on achieving her inspirational goal. Many have tried, but few have achieved what Sgt. Kuhn has. Ohio is proud of her!” Kuhn said she was told that just since last year she seems to have much more confidence in the decisions she makes on the mat. “I’m more assertive on the mat, and I feel like it’s helped me be more assertive in my personal life,” she said. “That is sometimes hard for me.” Learning to be assertive is a skill that has also helped Kuhn in her military career. As a public affairs specialist, she has to interact with people she may not know or whose rank or title may be intimidating. “Jiu-jitsu helps me with that, and I know I just have to do this,” she said. “I’m going to step on the mat even though I’m terrified I could stink today and everybody will see it. I have to do this anyway.” She said she is now better able to approach people in uncomfortable situations to get the information she needs for her job. “I feel like I’m more able to jump out of my comfort zone because jiu-jitsu is about being comfortable being uncomfortable,” she said. “Brazilian jiu-jitsu is one of the greatest overall development tools that has been a constant in my life,” said Taylor. “It forces you to solve complex challenges in a dynamic environment that immediately provides both physical and mental feedback. Jiu-jitsu restores your resiliency and teaches you how to remain calm under intense pressure.” Kuhn said during stressful situations, she used to freeze and wouldn’t be able to respond fast enough. Now she can center herself and think about what needs to be done first to move forward. “I wish I’d have had that ability earlier,” she said. “I feel like it helps me work through stressful times in my life.”
 SHARE
 PRINT
  Ohio National Guard
 Jiu-Jitsu
 
 80 Years Ago, National Guard Units Played Key Role in D-Day Landings
 By Sgt. 1st Class Jon Soucy,
  Operation Guide Wire Broadens 178th Airmen’s Skills
 By Staff Sgt. Constantine Bambakidis,
  Ohio Guard, Partner Serbia Share Cybersecurity Expertise
 By Senior Airman Ivy Thomas,
  More
 Idaho National Guard Opens Child Care Center Guard News • 53 minutes ago
 After 80th D-Day Commemoration, Hokanson Looks to Future Guard News • yesterday
 106th Rescue Wing Conducts Comprehensive Rescue Training Guard News • 3 days ago
 Oregon Air Guard Security Forces Squadron Trains in Hawai'i Guard News • 3 days ago
 Alaska Air Guard Rescue Triad Conducts Water Rescue Training Guard News • 4 days ago
 2024 (180)  2023 (427)  2022 (526)  2021 (697)  2020 (936)  2019 (387)  2018 (323)  2017 (346)  2016 (245)  2015 (356)  2014 (399)  2013 (469)  2012 (556)  2011 (533)  2010 (1071)  2009 (357)  2008 (638)  2007 (295)  2006 (188)
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil