Peter Song is the owner and head coach of the Von Goblin's Jiu Jitsu studio. He first arrived in the Comox Valley about three months ago. When he looked around and did some research, he realized there was no studio in town that offered full-time Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training, except for programs in fitness studios.
Song — who has more than 20 years of martial arts training and experience, 12 years in tae kwon do and eight years in Brazilian jiu jitsu and kickboxing — saw the opportunity for a studio that specialized in jiu jitsu and MMA (mixed martial arts).
He envisioned a full-time Brazilian jiu jitsu studio with early morning classes, late night classes and fitness kickboxing classes for women in order to accommodate various needs. This studio will offer flexibility in choosing class times. There will be plenty of mat time for practices so people can improve skills to the next level more efficiently. Saturday classes will also help with training.
One may wonder: What is Brazilian jiu jitsu? It has been recommended highly for professional UFC training because of its unique benefits for the sport. It is a self-defence martial art that deals with joint locks and chokes. Basically, it teaches how to defend in any situation and in any position. It is made so that smaller and weaker people can take on bigger and stronger opponents.
People see Brazilian jiu jitsu as grappling, and they are right, but its origin is judo. Learning techniques like throwing and take-downs is mandatory.
One of the greatest benefits of training in jiu jitsu is developing the skills of self-defence. Confidence and disciplines learned will help students succeed in life. They will also be in great shape, feeling healthier physically and mentally. Song once weighed close to 250 pounds. But as he trained, he started to lose weight and many inches off his waist. Not he sits at 180 pounds. That alone brought up his self esteem and became confident to socialize with people. Also, stamina and metabolism will hit the roof — you will be hungry for more training.
Song holds a second degree black belt in tae kwon do and has a fourth stripe blue belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu. He was offered the purple belt but refused to be ranked up. But now as he runs the studio, he was promised to be ranked up to the purple belt by the end of the year by his master Sungjin Han of Korea. Song has competed in Korea Grand Prix, Adidas Cups, ADCC Jiu Jitsu competitions and many regional events more than 20 times. At the most recent competition, the Korea Grand Prix Jiu Jitsu, he won gold in his weight division and in the absolute division.
He instructed tae kwon do and jiu jitsu for two years while living in Korea.
Song has always followed the evolving trends of jiu jitsu: De La Riva Guard techniques, 50-50 Guard, Deep Half Guard, Berimbolo, Leg Drags, Inverted Guard, Z-Guard and Cross guard. Effective and practical techniques will be broken down to steps for people to learn and train.
Song can also arrange MMA fights overseas, the Asian version of UFC called Road FC.
The Name of the Academy, Von Goblin’s, holds many meanings. Von comes from a Chinese character that means fundamental. Song believes that having a strong foundation will lead to success. Goblin concerns the culture of his mother nation, Korea. Goblin is a mythical being in Korean culture and is used as a symbol, meaning a specialist. Song hopes that everyone who trains in his academy will build a strong foundation and confidence in themselves, believing they are the specialists in the art by training hard.
The studio is at 1995 Cliffe Ave. in Courtenay. The door is open until 10:20 p.m.
For more information visit facebook.com/vonjiujitsumma.