Nova Jiu Jitsu student becomes multi-division state champion

By Jenny Harnish, RealWV

RONCEVERTE W.Va — Adam DeGraff has around 120 kids in the youth program at Nova Jiu Jitsu in Ronceverte, and about a third of them compete in tournaments across the state and country. 

“With the youth program, I focus on a greater martial arts approach, which involves respect and kindness to your teammates,” he said.  “Relating to one another with respect and reverence and addressing each other with “ma’am and sir.” 

One of his students, 11-year-old Brynne Peters, from Renick, recently became a multi-division state champion at the West Virginia Grappling Open in August in Hurricane, winning five state titles and more than any other female competitor. 

“She not only competed at her age, rank, and weight, she also competed at ranks higher than her rank, weights higher than her weight, and ages older than her age,” DeGraff said.

“It’s a remarkable thing for a student to win more than one division,” he said. 

Peters began attending Nova Jiu Jitsu about two years ago with her parents and two older brothers. The homeschooler quickly caught on and developed a passion for the sport. Jiu jitsu is a grappling martial art — there’s no kicking, punching, or striking of any sort. 

“The skills are hard-fought and they are not easy to acquire because jiu jitsu in general is very nonintuitive. Brynne picked it up very quickly. It’s largely a testament to her personality. She comes in very humble, she doesn’t expect to know anything. She listens, and in addition to a very sharp mind, she is very physically capable. She’s flexible, strong, fast, and she’s very precise with her movements, so there’s no wonder why she’s doing so well,” DeGraff said. 

Brynne’s father, Gregory Peters, said she attends five or six classes a week and is very coachable. 

“She outgrew the kids class just in skill level, and she needed someone to push her harder, so she does the adult class as well,” he said. Neither he nor her mom was surprised she won so many titles. 

For Brynne, competing in the tournament was fun and intense. She said she loves the family environment of Nova and being able to grow with her friends in that environment. 

“It has definitely helped me with self-control. It’s helped me control my emotions and deal with them in a good way. And I enjoy moving my body and exercising, and I love challenging myself both at normal class and at tournaments.” 

For Gregory, it was also a big moment. 

“I’ve been a father for 17 years now, and so far, there’ s not a better feeling than seeing your daughter choke a bigger boy until he has to submit. — it’s the best feeling so far,” he said. 

DeGraff said having the whole family participate in the program is essential. 

“She has a family that is incredibly supportive. Her mom and dad jump on the mats with her. She has two brothers that are quite excellent,” he said. “You don’t get great by yourself, and a kid doesn’t have a chance if the parents aren’t in their corner as well.”