Three Rivers Martial Arts Instructors Receive Royce Gracie Black Belts

Ultimate Fighting Championship legend, Royce Gracie, awarded five Three Rivers Martial Arts Academy instructors with black belts at a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Seminar in Paducah in September. This was his ninth visit to Paducah. He also awarded two other black belts to area instructors. This recent promotion makes a total of 48 black belts under Royce Gracie
worldwide.

Three Rivers Martial Arts Academy owner Jason Hawkins became the 42nd black belt and was promoted by Royce Gracie at the conclusion of the seminar. Gracie then awarded black belts to Chad Chilcutt, from Memphis; Eli Knight, Brad Lynn, Derik Perry, and Kevin Traughber, all instructors at Three Rivers; and Jared Jessup from Benton, Illinois.

“We are fortunate to have Royce travel to our academy annually to conduct seminars,” said Hawkins. “Royce’s ability as a teacher and a fighter is second to none.” Gracie was recently named the most important fighter in mixed martial arts history by the Bleacher Report. The black belt recipients have trained in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu for 15 years, and have earned each belt promotion from Royce Gracie over the years. 

Three Rivers Martial Arts Academy is a training association under the Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Network. The academy is located inside Energy Fitness at the Livingwell Centre on New Holt Road. There are 42 Royce Gracie networks throughout the world, and one-eighth of his black belts are at Three Rivers Martial Arts Academy.

For more information, please contact Jason Hawkins at 270-564-5804

Classes at Three Rivers Martial Arts

Group classes are available for adult men and women of any age, and children ages five and older. Seminars, workshops, and specialty classes such as women’s self-defense are offered throughout the year and are open to the public. Click here to view the schedule.

Private lessons are a Three Rivers specialty, allowing students to set up classes just for them for a more personal and convenient training experience. Mix and match techniques from the seven different styles we offer for a truly unique training experience. These lessons can include up to four people at no extra cost, so they are perfect for families and friends that want to learn martial arts together.