Photo By Martin Egnash | Gunnery Sgt. Phillip W. Wyman, personnel staff non-commissioned officer in charge at...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - As part of our warrior ethos, all Marines train in martial arts to some degree. Some just mastered the hip-throw; others compete in local martial arts competitions.
Gunnery Sgt. Phillip W. Wyman, Marine Corps Engineer School Camp Lejeune staff noncommissioned officer in charge, is a black belt in multiple martial arts including Kodokan Judo, karate and jiu-jitsu.
Wyman got his start in martial arts with the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. He then competed in amateur mixed martial arts competitions. Though he was at first primarily a striker, Wyman found that he needed to learn jiu-jitsu to stay competitive.
According to the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, jiu-jitsu, or ‘the gentle art’, is based on the principles of balance and leverage. It is a system of manipulating the body without relying on strength.
“Jiu-Jitsu is a gentleman’s sport,” said Wyman. “You can go full-force the whole time and not hurt each other. I can do it until I’m 90.”
Wyman explained that one of the reasons he appreciates jiu-jitsu is because it is a tactical martial art. Moves can be set up and countered.
The fighter with the better game plan and technique has the edge.
“In a striking martial art, anybody has a puncher’s chance to land a lucky shot,” said Wyman. “I don’t like fighting against that. I like technical fighting, where it’s like playing chess.”
If Jiu-jitsu is like chess to Wyman, he is in for the match of his life.
This summer, Wyman is competing in the World Jiu-Jitsu Competition in Brazil. This is the largest jiu-jitsu competition in the world. Winning a title there is one of the highest levels of achievement in jiu-jitsu.
“It has been a lifelong dream of mine to fight and win a world title,” said Wyman. “I feel as though that would validate my hard work.”
Before competing in Brazil, Wyman will compete in the Pan-Americas Championships this spring. There, he can size up his competition and see where he fits in before he competes for the world title.
“My plan is to train as hard as I can and compete in the Pan-Americas and see what I need to work on to win the world title,” said Wyman.
He is currently training at the Combat Club in Jacksonville, N.C. There, he teaches Marines and civilians traditional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
“Marital Arts helps Marines and sailors on every level,” said Wyman. “I have seen countless examples of Marines and sailors gaining self-confidence to carry out other issues in their lives, developing moral and mental courage to become better professional warriors.”
| Date Taken: | 03.01.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 03.01.2012 10:32 |
| Story ID: | 84557 |
| Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 356 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Local Gunny, Jiu-Jitsu master, by Martin Egnash, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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