Various martial arts classes now available at base fitness center Published June 15, 2006 By Senior Airman John Gordinier 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, SOUTH CAROLINA -- Aikido, Combative Weapons, Combative Karate, Jui Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts are all available at Shaw now for $60 a month. Aikido classes are available Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Combative weapons are available for the same time, but on Mondays and Wednesdays. Karate is available from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and beginner karate classes are from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays. Jui Jitsu classes are from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays. Mixed martial arts classes are available Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. All of these classes are upstairs in the aerobics room in the fitness center. Not everyone can take these classes, there are some age requirements, said Tech. Sgt. J.D. Olsen, martial arts instructor. A student must be 16 years old or older to join the combative weapons, Jui Jitsu or mixed martial arts. For Aikido and Karate, the age requirement is six years old and older. All of these classes have different characteristics and techniques. "The Combative Aikido program has all the traditional techniques," said Sgt. Olsen. "Aikido teaches wrist locks, joint manipulations, submissions, punches, strikes, kicks, throws, takedowns and chokes. "Combative weapons has its roots in traditional Filipino Kali from the Philippines," he said. "This program is designed to incorporate a fundamental standard to weapons training allowing students to use any other type of weapon functionally. In other words, the basic techniques you learn with a stick and knife can be applied to an asp, baton or even a ball point pen. "Combative karate teaches fundamental fighting techniques such as: blocks, punches, strikes, kicks, trapping, joint locks and submissions," Sgt. Olsen said. "Jui Jitsu is submission fighting," he said. "Fact: 90 percent of all fights go to the ground. With this style, the fight will end up on the ground, even if you don't want it to. Students will learn joint locks, defensive positions, escapes, position control, strikes, clinch control and takedowns. "Mixed martial arts is a blend of Jui Jitsu, Combative Weapons and Combative Aikido," Sgt. Olsen said. "This class teaches the whole fighting concept, mentally and physically." Sgt. Olsen has been practicing martial arts for 26 years and reflects back on why and when he started. "I was 5 years old and I loved watching Bruce Lee on the T.V.," Sgt. Olsen said. "I would watch him, and dream about being able to do the things that he did. I started by going to my friend's Tae Kwon Do class and have been involved ever since. I love martial arts, and am probably going to make it my main career once I am done serving my country." Sgt. Olsen has a large list of experience and accomplishments in martial arts. He has second degree black belts in Karate, Kali, Jui Jitsu, Combative Aikido and Mixed Martial Arts or Total Fighting Concepts as it is referred to by the Martial Arts Unlimited Association. He also has a first degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. The black belts in Kali, Jui Jitsu and Aikido were acquired from M.A.U.A. director, A.J. Weimer, in Tokyo, 2003, while he was stationed at Yokota Air Base, Japan. While there, he also trained many Special Forces and Marines and taught Japanese self defense classes. He is also a member of the U.S. Martial Arts Association, American Martial Arts and Martial Arts Unlimited Association and has been certified by all three. "If you're interested in joining a class," Sgt. Olsen said. "Come on by and check it out. "I offer a free trial for one week."