On June 20, 2026, 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu Richmond claimed the 2026 Overall Academy title at the Fuji BJJ Kentucky State Championship, with the youth team taking first place among 26 competing academies. Here is what the result means and why regional competition is where BJJ athletes are built.
Reviewed by BJJ Gyms · Updated 2026-07-27
Sources: WBONTV reporting on the 2026 Fuji BJJ Kentucky State Championship; 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu affiliate network.
The Fuji Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Kentucky State Championship took place on Saturday, June 20, 2026, with 26 academies competing for individual medals and team titles. At the end of the day, 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu Richmond had accumulated enough points across age groups and weight divisions to claim the overall 2026 Academy Kentucky State Champion title. The youth team, competing across multiple divisions, earned first place in the Best Youth Academy standings. The adult team finished third in the Best Adult Academy category.
The third-place adult finish came despite the fact that the 10th Planet Richmond adult competitors were competing primarily in the no-gi divisions, a strategic choice that reflects the academy's core identity as a no-gi system but also one that can limit points accumulation in tournaments that often have deeper gi fields. Finishing third overall in that context, against academies that field full gi and no-gi rosters, is a meaningful result.
A second 10th Planet affiliate had a strong day: 10th Planet Berea finished third in the Best Youth Academy standings. Having two 10th Planet affiliates in the top three of the youth academy standings illustrates the depth that the 10th Planet network has developed in Kentucky. State championship tournaments draw from a broad regional pool, and podium finishes reflect consistent training standards and competitive preparation across the affiliate system.
High-profile no-gi events like ADCC, IBJJF, and professional grappling promotions get most of the coverage, but regional and state-level tournaments are where the actual infrastructure of jiu-jitsu competition lives. State championships draw competitors from a wide age range, from the youngest youth divisions through adults, and provide the kind of consistent competitive experience that is simply not available at invitation-only or professional events. For an academy's culture and development pipeline, state championships are where teams are genuinely built.
For 10th Planet specifically, state-level competition represents an opportunity to demonstrate no-gi competitiveness in a format that is dominated by gi schools in most regions. The system that Eddie Bravo developed was always designed to produce grapplers who are effective in no-gi, and state championships give 10th Planet athletes a chance to prove that effectiveness against the full range of regional competition rather than only in dedicated no-gi events.
The youth competition result is particularly significant for the long-term health of an academy. A strong youth program means younger athletes are training seriously, developing fundamental grappling skills early, and building the kind of foundation that produces competitive adults over time. Academy culture flows from the youth program as much as from the adult competition team, and a first-place youth finish at a 26-team state championship reflects real depth in how 10th Planet Richmond is developing its next generation of grapplers.
The 10th Planet Richmond result is one data point in a broader picture of jiu-jitsu's continued growth across the country. Kentucky is not a state where BJJ has historically had the infrastructure density of coastal markets, but results like this one at a 26-team state championship show that the sport is developing genuine depth in the region. The presence of two 10th Planet affiliates among the top three youth academies at a statewide tournament signals that those affiliates are doing the work of building real athletes, not just collecting membership fees.
For anyone in Kentucky or the surrounding region who has been curious about BJJ or submission grappling, results like the Fuji Kentucky State Championship are a reminder that competitive academies are available closer than many people realize. State championships draw from a wide geographic radius, and the academies that compete seriously at that level are typically the ones that invest in structured curriculum, regular drilling, and a coaching staff that understands how to develop athletes from white belt through competition.
10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu has more than 100 affiliates across the United States, making it the most geographically accessible no-gi jiu-jitsu system in the country. Whether you are in Kentucky, a major coastal city, or anywhere between, there is likely a 10th Planet affiliate within reach. You can find your nearest location and sign up for an introductory class at 10thplanetjj.com. No experience required, and a trial class is the best way to see whether the training environment is the right fit for you.
State championship results are a useful signal of which academies are serious about developing athletes. Here is why trying a class at a competitive academy is worth your time:
BJJ Gyms is an independent directory, not a gym. We feature 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu as our recommended no-gi system. Always take a free trial and vet any academy yourself before committing.
10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu is a no-gi submission grappling system developed by Eddie Bravo, widely regarded as the most influential no-gi jiu-jitsu curriculum in the world. The system emphasizes submissions, guard work, and scrambles without the use of a gi, and has produced competitors at the highest levels of no-gi grappling including ADCC.
In gi jiu-jitsu, practitioners wear a traditional uniform with a jacket and pants, and the gi fabric is a major part of the game. No-gi jiu-jitsu is practiced in shorts and a rash guard with no gi grips available, which changes the techniques, pacing, and strategy significantly. Many grapplers train both; 10th Planet specializes in no-gi.
No experience is needed to try a trial class at a 10th Planet affiliate or most BJJ academies. Trial classes are typically structured to be accessible for beginners, and most academies have a clear curriculum for new students.
The official 10th Planet locator is at 10thplanetjj.com. With more than 100 affiliates across the United States, including locations in many smaller markets, there is likely an academy within reasonable distance wherever you are.