"Papa" John Gorman

USAJJ's Commissioner

Known as Papa John by his students, John Gorman is the Commissioner of USA Jiu Jitsu and Executive Director of Jiu Jitsu International. He's a pan-american gold medalist and twice world champion, and has the greatest passion for Jiu Jitsu.

Students who roll with Papa John know he is no ordinary Army retiree.

Lt. Col. Kevin McKenna, Belvoir’s Headquarters Battalion commander, met Gorman in March when he came here to conduct jiu-jitsu seminars and a 
tournament for local students.

“It’s a phenomenal ability to be able to grasp these concepts and then take them to the next level like Papa John has,“ McKenna said in a phone interview on a day that had started the same way the previous had ended; on the mat with Gorman. “Age, weight, strength, size are not necessary characteristics if you have good technique, and he’s got it.“

McKenna was humbled by Gorman’s prowess on the mat. “I feel so inexperienced in comparison,“ he said.

A quick Web search for Papa John Gorman reveals that many younger grapplers openly admire his ability. One 37-year-old wrote on a jiu-jitsu discussion board, “[he] visits our gym occasionally and schools everyone in the gym.“ Students and training partners marvel at the fact that a man twice or three times their own age can apply these precise techniques against them, even as they try to escape.

Gorman’s skill and technical aptitude are even more impressive when students learn how recently he took up jiu-jitsu. Papa John started when he was 54. Less than four years later, he earned his black belt.

“For many, it takes six, 10 or more years to earn their black belt,“ said Gorman between classes.

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