Five win medals at Tri-Cities jiu jitsu tournament

PATEROS – A group of young five-to 10-year-old grapplers from Northwest Elite made a strong debut in their first jiu jitsu tournament at Tri-Cities last month, bringing home 10 medals between them. Their coach, Anthony Hamlett, opened a martial arts studio a year ago called Northwest Elite just south of Pateros at 25323 Highway 97 on the hill near the junction of SR 153 and 97.

“They did amazing at this tourney,” said Hamlett of his students. “I had four out of five in the finals of Gi (uniform) division.”

The team’s next tournament is in September in Spokane.

Hamlett, a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt, moved from the Tri-Cities to Malott after he was attracted to the area while helping coach Brewster Little Guy Wrestling.

A nine-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force where he was also a three-time All-American wrestler, Hamlett was ranked sixth at the 2000 Olympic trials. He later competed in grappling jiu jitsu worldwide before earning his black belt in 2010.

“There are two versions of grappling,” said Hamlett, “one with a gi (uniform) and one without a gi.”

Along with jiu jitsu Hamlett teaches martial arts and MMA (mixed martial arts) and served in the latter specialty as a professional Ultimate Fighting Championship referee. He has been coaching martial arts since 2001.

Hamlett said he teaches all ages and skill levels. To learn more contact Hamlett at 509-873-2135.