Congratulations to Brock Kirkland for being awarded 2021 Student of the Year! Brock was awarded student of the year for his dedication and positive influence in the room. Brock is a hard worker while always maintaining a positive and approachable attitude - you will never hear him complaining! In addition to this, Brock is a well rounded and consistent grappler! Congrats again to Brock! What is your name, how old are you and Where are you originally from? Brock, 26, from Madison, WI What brought you to BJJ and Checkmat Charlotte? I had wanted to try BJJ for a while after hearing great things about it on various podcasts. What brought me to Checkmat was the culture and the people. What do you enjoy doing outside of BJJ? I enjoy rock climbing, baking bread, and video games. How long have you been training? My third year is just around the corner! What life lessons can you draw from BJJ? Be persistent, work hard, and learn when to tap out. What is the hardest thing about BJJ? Knowing that there is a mountain of information and technique to learn, but you’ve only got an ice pick to chip away at it with. What is your proudest moment in BJJ so far? I’d say my name getting called for this award. What is the one thing you like best about BJJ? The confidence you feel off the mats. What advice would you give to a brand new student starting BJJ? Keep showing up. It takes a few classes to get into the swing of things, but the rewards are so worth it. Buy a good mouth guard. Keep your gi and belt washed. Hang dry only.
