On Saturday, May 23, Emma Lopez and Jose Ramirez, students at Perce’s Kenpo Karate Studio in Fillmore, earned four medals at the Grappling X Jiu Jitsu World Championships in Azusa, California. Pictured (l-r) are Emma Lopez, Jose Ramirez and Professor Michael Torres. Photo credit Dayana Ramirez.
By Michael Torres
May 23, 2026, AZUSA, Calif. — Emma Lopez and Jose Ramirez, both students at Perce’s Kenpo Karate Studio, turned in standout performances at the Grappling X Jiu Jitsu World Championships in Azusa, California.
Lopez competed in the women’s divisions, earning a silver medal in the no-gi blue/purple belt (Intermediate) 160 lbs. and above bracket and a bronze in the Gi Blue division at the same weight — a remarkable double-medal day across two different formats.
Ramirez entered the Male Masters 1 (30–39) divisions and went one better, claiming the championship belt and gold medal in the gi blue 200 lbs. and above bracket before finishing as silver medalist in the corresponding no-gi competition. It is his second championship belt that he has earned as he won a North American Grappling Association Jiu-Jitsu belt last year.
Both athletes train under black belt Professor Michael Torres, the head jiu-jitsu coach at Perce’s Kenpo Karate Studio, which is led by Sifu Paul Perce, a 9th-degree black belt in American Kenpo Karate. The studio offers classes in karate, kickboxing, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for students of all levels. For more information on classes, call 805-524-6870.
