Professor John Sylvester – 1st Degree Black Belt

John Sylvester began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 1995. He enjoyed early successes competing locally, in Vancouver, B.C., and Oregon, but also began to realize the benefits that Jiu-Jitsu carries off the mat. Over the past two decades, John has trained with many instructors in the Pacific Northwest. In 2009, he was awarded his black belt by Professor Marcio Feitosa.

In 2010, John and Griff founded Edmonds Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Edmonds, WA. John’s teachings focus on the importance of fundamental technique, conditioning, repetition in drilling, and will often correlate the benefits of Jiu-Jitsu to “real life”.

Griff Sombke – Brown Belt

Griff Sombke has been training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu since 2005. He was immediately hooked, and has trained constantly since then. He has competed successfully at the Pan Ams, Copa Northwest, The Northwest Championships, The Houston Open, and most recently the 2011 Pan Ams in Irvine, CA, where he placed third in his division. He is also a skilled referee, and has worked at almost every tournament in the Seattle area, including The Revolution, the ADCC trials, the Subleague, the Seattle Open, the Emerald City Kids Grappling Championships, and the Winter Cup. Since he began his training, it has always been a dream of his to run an academy and show people the benefits of Jiu-Jitsu, both on and off the mat. He is currently a Brown Belt under Professor Micah Reyes.

Phil Anderson – Blue Belt

Phil Anderson is an active Washington and Oregon state Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Submission Grappling competitor, NAIA Collegiate Wrestling National Qualifier, US ARMY Wrestling team member, and former head wrestling coach at Roosevelt High School in Seattle. Phil received his blue belt from Machado black belt Bob Bass.

Phil founded Summit Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club (then Citizen Jiu-Jitsu) in the living room of his Capitol Hill home. His revolutionary idea of a community Jiu-Jitsu organization blossomed into what Summit is today. Phil specializes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fundamentals instruction, wrestling, and strength and conditioning training.

George Watkins – Purple Belt

George began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2004 with Scott Hewitt at Titan Martial Arts in Norman, OK. After graduating from the University of Oklahoma, George moved to Seattle. While looking for a new school to call home, he met Phil and joined the club in early 2008. George is currently a purple belt under Carlson Gracie black belt Renato Tavares.