How can a 12 year-old take an adult down in a matter of minutes? Just ask Sawyer Morris. With agility, mental focus and a keen grasp of martial arts, he is using his mastery of jiu jitsu and the art of submission to overcome fierce competitors.

In fact, this March, Morris received a gold medal at the Arnold Schwarzenegger World Gracie Submission Championships of jiu jitsu in Columbus, Ohio. Competing in a bracket with 95 other kids, Morris set a menacing precedent, winning each of his fights in less than 45 seconds.

As a student of Gracie jiu jitsu, a Brazilian variation known for gentler maneuvers, Morris engages in full-contact exercises that incorporate grappling and wrestling with special emphasis on technique rather than strength.
However, training at a world-class level by the tender of age of 12 is no easy task. So it is not much of a surprise to hear Morris praising the talents of his coach, a jiu jitsu phenom in his own right, Phil Cardella.

Cardella, a world-renowned, full-time martial artist, and owner of Austin Jiu Jitsu, has used his experience and skill in battling some of the toughest fighters in the world as a strong framework for teaching jiu jitsu elements to new students. During his time coaching Morris, Cardella admits he has seen vast improvements.

“Sawyer has really learned to be more fluid and just relax. He now has real body awareness and can shift his weight well,” says Cardella.

While Cardella considers martial arts primarily a way for children and adults to have fun, he also feels it’s a great way to stay fit, build confidence and enable self-defense.

“Classes are taught at a high level and each class is customized. But I truly love to see people having fun on the mats; that’s why I started doing martial arts in the first place. I also enjoy seeing the technical progression of students and seeing them achieve their personal goals,” says Cardella.

As for Tim Morris, Sawyer’s father, the importance of seeing his children work hard and then succeed is a powerful lesson.

“Children who accomplish great things also do great things as adults. For Sawyer, this is something he’ll always have that no one can ever take away,” he beams.

Truly a humble champion, Morris comments more on the future of his jiu jitsu career than his current accomplishments.

“There is always something you can work on, so it makes you feel stronger in the part of your game you are concentrating on which feels good,” says Morris.

Morris plans to continue training and if the sport is approved for Olympic-level competition, aspires to make the United States team one day.

“I would like to learn as many martial arts as I can and have my own academy some day,” says Morris.
There’s no doubt that a bright future is ahead for this tremendous athlete with amazing skill and a world-class attitude. For more information on Gracie jiu jitsu, call 693-8258 or visit www.austinjj.com.

Photo:
Sawyer Morris and his gold medal with Relson Gracie, Brazilian jiu jitsu champ