Karate Kid of Channahon Wins Many Medals

Joey Sullivan, 8, Channahon, will be entering 3rd grade at Pioneer Path

He is known by his coaches as “Anakin Skywalker.” His friends call him the “Karate Kid.” His mom calls him “JoeBoDacious.” But if one just mentions “Joey Sullivan,” anyone who practices Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, knows who he is.

Sullivan has participated in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for the past three years with the Carlson Gracie Team and has earned a 2nd place ranking in state and in the Midwest. He is ranked 31st in the nation.

He is only a white belt. He has to win three national or well-recognized tournaments before he advances to the next rank. But that hasn’t stopped him from earning recognition.

“I’m proud of all my medals,” said Sullivan, who has 40 plus medals, trophies and swords he has won at various competitions. He has about 100 all together if you count his wrestling awards too.

This year alone, Sullivan has won first place in four Midwest competitions.

“Last year he earned a gold medal at the Arnold Schwarzenegger Sports Festival” said Joey’s Dad, P.J. Sullivan. “ We are so proud of him.”

Sullivan is one of 100 students at the Carlson Gracie Team, Channahon facility. Joey also cage fights and wrestles for the Carlson Gracie Team.

The Carlson Gracie Team was founded by Carlos Gracie Sr. in the 1920’s. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu first became widely known to the U.S. and the rest of the world when Royce Gracie, a young, skinny man, fought men much bigger and tougher from other styles of martial arts in the first ever Ultimate Fighting Championships on Pay Per View in 1993.

Through his participation on the team, Sullivan has learned how to spar with his knuckles and has learned special choke hold techniques and numerous take-downs. 

“The coaches have taken Joey under their wing,” said Kerry Sullivan, Joey’s mom. “They love him and treat him like their own kid.”

Joey’s practices are two hours long and he does that three times a week. He is preparing for competition in August. 

“I look up to my coaches,” Sullivan said. “My coaches are very nice and have taught me a lot.”

“The opportunities are fantastic for the kids in this sport,” said P.J. Sullivan. “They make you a total warrior by the age of 16.”

When not practicing his karate and wrestling, Sullivan likes to play baseball, soccer and football. He also likes his X-box games. He likes to go fishing. Once he caught a 12 pound catfish in a pond near his home.

“He is very quiet and humble,” said Kerry Sullivan. “You would never know that he could knock you over. It takes a lot to push his buttons.”

Sullivan said he doesn’t care for school too much, but that he does have an interest in science and history. He enjoys watching the Discovery Channel and old war movies.

Joey rocks out to AC/DC and sees himself going pro one day as a UFC competitor.

Perhaps “Thunderstruck” or T.N.T. would be good choices for his fighter name.