Brazilian Jiu Jitsu will make its debut at the State Games of America this summer, with a Central Pennsylvania academy playing a pivotal role in bringing the sport to the national event.
Held every two years, the State Games of America is a premier Olympic-style championship that attracts approximately 14,000 amateur athletes from across the United States for 12 days of competition. Pennsylvania is hosting the event for the first time since 2013, with this year’s games taking place at Penn State University in State College from July 24 through August 2. The inaugural Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournament is scheduled for the opening Saturday of competition.
Third-Generation Jiu Jitsu, which operates multiple academies throughout Central Pennsylvania, helped organize the historic addition of BJJ to the games. Academy owner David Brogan, a longtime advocate for growing the sport in the region, said the opportunity represents a natural milestone for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Organized by the National Congress of State Games, the biennial event brings together top amateur competitors who qualify by earning medals at their respective state games over the previous two years. Athletes compete in more than 30 sports, including track and field, ice hockey, swimming, and martial arts. The inclusion of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu reflects the sport’s continued growth and increasing recognition as a mainstream competitive discipline.
At this point in time it has not yet been confirmed whether the games will be using IBJJF rules or their own point-scoring system.
A freelance journalist with more than seven years of experience covering a wide range of topics, with a focus on delivering accurate, engaging, and well-researched reporting. He studied at the University of Birmingham, where he developed a strong foundation in journalism and communications. Martin is a 10th Planet BJJ brown belt and has been training for approximately 10 years and a keen follower of submission grappling.
