About the Instructor
Jason Clarke (on the right in photo) is the founder and head instructor of Agoge Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Jason moved to Coralville, Iowa from Michigan where he trained with Saulo Ribeiro, Xande Ribeiro and Chris Blanke at their Detroit, Michigan and Toledo, Ohio academies.
Jason began his training in the martial arts at the age of 7, starting first with some traditional forms of Karate and then switching to Muay Thai kick boxing for a few years. While stationed in Hawaii with the Army he began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) with Relson Gracie. Returning to Michigan after his enlistment he trained with an association affiliated with the Gracie Academy and was promoted to blue belt by Royce Gracie. He received all 4 stripes on his blue belt from Carlos "Caique" Henrique Jr., an Helio Gracie black belt.
A series of moves and commitments forced him to take a 3 year haitus from BJJ training. It was during this time off that Saulo Ribeiro opened two academies near him in Detroit, Michigan and Toledo, Ohio. When he was ready to return to the mat he joined Saulo's academy and has been a proud and happy student of Saulo's ever since. Jason is currently a 2 stripe Purple Belt under Saulo Ribeiro.
In addition to teaching and training in BJJ, Jason is also a serious student and competitor in Judo. He began his Judo training well after starting his training in BJJ. In fact, he didn't step onto the Judo mat, or take a Judo class, until he was a 4 stripe Blue Belt in BJJ. He began his Judo training with the Eastern Michigan Judo Team, and is currently a Black Belt in Judo with the University of Iowa Judo team.
Training in Judo, or certain aspects of it, fits well with the style of BJJ that is unique to Saulo and Xande Ribeiro. Both of the Ribeiro brothers are students of Judo and often employ their supierior Judo skills on the BJJ mats to win their World Championship titles. In the SRJJA organization, and especially in the Agoge BJJ Academy, students will learn certain aspects of Judo as it is applicable to BJJ.
According to Jason:
"The average Judo player is great at throws and takedowns, especially with the gi. And, techniques of the art can even translate to the no-gi fight. But, the average Judo player is not usually known for being a good ground fighter. Likewise, the average BJJ player is not necessarily known for being great with throws and grip fighting. Historically, BJJ was derived from early Judo, and Judo was derived from several styles of traditional Japanese Jiu-Jitsu (and even Western Wrestling). Judo is only about 40 years older than Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. But, as time went on, each style chose to focus their training (and respective sports) on certain aspects of fighting. But, both styles compliment each other so well that it makes perfect sense to train and compete in both. Each style will make you better at the other. Training at Agoge BJJ will teach you both aspects of the World's two most dominant grappling martial arts."
Jason as a Judo Brown Belt readying himself for a Judo competition.