At Real American Grappling, improvement is earned through consistency, discipline, and showing up when others don’t.
Congratulations to Konan Perez for being awarded Most Improved Male of 2021. Konan earned this recognition by maximizing his attendance and maintaining a high standard every time he stepped on the mat. He is a regular in the noon class, Sunday open mat, and even shows up to 6am training when most people are still asleep. His progress reflects his consistency and attitude.
Meet Konan Perez
What is your name, how old are you, and where are you from? Konan Perez, 31 years old, from Fairfax, Virginia.
Getting Started in Jiu-Jitsu
What brought you to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Real American Grappling? I’ve always been an MMA fan and heard about the benefits of Jiu-Jitsu through podcasts, online content, and friends. A coworker kept pushing me to try it, and after visiting different gyms in the Charlotte area, I chose Real American Grappling because it was the most competitive.
Training Journey
How long have you been training? Two years this month.
Favorite Technique
What is your favorite submission? Baseball choke.
Challenges in Training
What is the hardest thing about Jiu-Jitsu? Dealing with injuries. When I first started, I relied too much on strength instead of technique, which led to things like tweaked muscles and bruised ribs. It forced me to become more technical and smarter in how I train.
Proudest Moment
What is your proudest moment in Jiu-Jitsu so far? Receiving the Most Improved award. There are so many hardworking people in the room, so even being considered was an honor.
Breakthrough Moment
Can you describe a moment when a challenging skill clicked? Understanding foot placement in single leg X guard. Realizing where to position the inside foot made a big difference in controlling my opponent’s knee line. That detail changed everything.
What He Enjoys Most
What do you like most about Jiu-Jitsu? The balance it brings to my life. The mental and physical challenge is something I haven’t found anywhere else.
Advice for Beginners
What advice would you give to someone just starting Jiu-Jitsu? Stick with it. Everyone goes through ups and downs at every level. The most important thing is to keep showing up.
Start Training at Real American Grappling
If you’re in the Lake Wylie, Fort Mill, or Charlotte area and thinking about starting Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, now is the time. No experience needed.
👉Start your free class today.
