SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii -- 1st Lt. John Kim is a Military Intelligence Officer assigned to 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division but he also holds a second title -- International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) champion.
Kim was born in Los Angeles, California to South Korean parents. Before starting school, he moved back to South Korea and spent the remainder of his childhood attending international schools. After graduating from high school in South Korea and working for a short time, Kim joined the U.S. Army.
"I had a mentor who served in the Army as a Human Intelligence Collector (35M), he had a strong influence on me joining," said Kim. "I joined and enlisted as the same MOS as my mentor, it's what I was motivated to do."
During his time as an enlisted Soldier, Kim discovered his passion for BJJ. "Originally, I was introduced to combatives and slowly progressed through the skill levels," explained Kim. "The whole experience allowed me to meet people and eventually get exposed to BJJ."
BJJ is grappling-based martial arts with a goal to control and resist an opponent in ways that force him or her to submit or give up.
BJJ is also known as a rough sport that pushes the limits of each competitor's skill sets and at the end of the fight there is only one winner.
"I enjoy BJJ because of the diversity," said Kim. "You face a wide range of individuals with different backgrounds, beliefs and skills. At the end of the match, you leave everything on the mat and learn from your mistakes."
"It's great being able to meet people and hang out," said Nicholas Lassalle, Kim's former training partner. "John has this superb work ethic that showed not only on the mat but also academically."
Kim made the rank of Sergeant First Class and was accepted into the Army's Green to Gold Program in 2013. After completing all of his courses in the Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of Maryland, Kim commissioned as a Military Intelligence Officer.
"What's nice about combatives is that it is heavily rooted in BJJ," said Kim. "The transition when I picked up BJJ almost came naturally. I met a lot of people at my gym in Maryland that set me up for success."
After moving to Hawaii in 2015, Kim spent time looking for a new gym to work on his skills.
"John showed up two years ago to Alliance Jiu-Jitsu Hawaii gym. He has a strong work ethic. He takes advice humbly and graciously and works daily towards improving his Jiu-Jitsu skills," said Rexie Barnum, a head instructor and head coach at Alliance Jiu-Jitsu Hawaii in Waipahu.
BJJ has a ranking system that starts competitors out with white belts. As their skill sets progress, they progress from white to blue, purple, brown and finally black. Kim is currently a decorated competitor who honorably wears the purple belt.
A fighter competing in BJJ takes approximately a year or two to advance on in each belt type.
"I have been doing BJJ for six years now and I really enjoy the benefits of the sport," explained Kim. "BJJ is great for stress relief, helps me stay in great shape for the Army and creates a healthy ego. No matter how good you are, there is always someone better; you have to keep chasing to be the best."
As Kim's skills continued to improve, a new goal appeared for him. He had is eyes set on the World Master Tournament ran by the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation in Las Vegas, Nevada from Aug. 23-26. At the tournament, competitors from around the U.S. and world battle it out for top of their class and age bracket.
Kim began training around March of 2017 for the event with his local gym in Waipahu as well as the 25th ID Jiu-Jitsu Club.
"I trained twice a day. Once mid-day at the Lightning Academy Gym and then again at night at my gym off base. The routine was brutal and cutting weight for the tournament was challenging," explained Kim.
Kim's work ethic led him to continue to the tournament and make weight. "When I trained with John his work ethic was unbelievable. He would always be putting extra hours in on the mat to perfect his techniques and strength," said Lassalle.
Kim took first in the heavy weight and master class under the purple belt division at the World Master Tournament and is now a champion at his passion and sport.
Though Kim is an international champion, he still remembers his roots of combatives in the Army. Each year he takes his experience and gives it back to the Army and his unit.
Kim has coached each unit he has been a part of during the 25th ID's annual Tropic Lightning Week, which includes physical and sporting competitions.
Last year he coached 2nd Squadron 14th Calvary Regiment to a victory in the combatives tournament.
"Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has taught me a lot about myself, working as a team and not giving up," said Kim. "I just hope to be able to teach others and continue to learn as a fighter."
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