Keenan Kai-James Cornelius is an American Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner known for his competitive achievements, most notably including what has been dubbed a grand slam in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, having won double gold medals at four major tournaments - the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship, Pan-American Championship, European Open Championship, and Brazilian National Jiu-Jitsu Championship - as a purple belt. He is also known for his creation of guard techniques such as the Worm Guard.
Video Keenan Cornelius
Additional career highlights
Keenan's first exposure to martial arts training began at a young age, under his step-father, martial arts teacher Tom Callos, BJ Penn's first Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructor. At the age of 14, he began casual grappling training with friends. Shortly thereafter, he began receiving formal Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instruction under Cassio Werneck, then training for three years under BJ Penn, before ultimately joining with Team Lloyd Irvin. Despite his high-level victories as a purple belt and above, Keenan claims to have had a poor competitive showing early in his career, prior to his joining Team Lloyd Irvin, a move which Keenan held responsible for his later success.
2012
- On February 28, Keenan won the Abu Dhabi World Pro Trials Montreal Purple belt +74 kg absolute division.
- In April, Keenan competed in the World Pro Jiu-Jitsu Cup, winning his division (-82 kg.) and earning a bronze in the absolute division.
- On June 26, Keenan is promoted to brown belt under Lloyd Irvin.
2013
- On February 27, Keenan announced his split from Team Lloyd Irvin. A few days later, it was officially announced that he would be joining Atos Jiu-Jitsu. After his transition to Atos, Keenan continued his run as the most accomplished brown belt in the history of the sport, winning nearly every major tournament at his weight and open class with the only exception being the 2013 IBJJF Brown Belt Absolute Division where he placed Second.
- On September 14, Keenan was promoted to black belt under André Galvão.
- On December 8, Keenan won the medium-heavy/heavyweight division of the 2nd IBJJF Pro League for the prize of $5,000 by defeating Diego Gamoral and Jackson Souza.
2014
- On March 29, 2014, Keenan was scheduled to face Vinny Magalhaes in Metamoris III. However, Vinny was forced to withdraw before the match, being hospitalized with a MRSA infection. He was replaced by Rickson black belt Kevin Casey. The match ended as a win for Keenan, using 50/50 guard and getting a submission with an inside heel hook.
- In April, Keenan competed in the 2014 Abu Dhabi BJJ World Pro Championship, winning bronze in the black belt adult 94 kg division.
- On August 9, 2014, Keenan competed against Vinny Magalhaes at Metamoris IV. The match ended in a draw.
- On November 22, 2014, Keenan competed against Yuri Simoes at Metamoris V. The match ended in a draw.
2015
- On January 10, 2015, Keenan competed against Dean Lister at Polaris Pro Grappling. He won the match with a reverse triangle choke from back control.
Maps Keenan Cornelius
Works
In 2013, Keenan published a 5-part DVD set highlighting concepts signature to his highly-modern competition style.
In 2016 Keenan created Keenan Online, a membership site that offers Keenan's unique instructional style and curriculum delivery.
External links
- Keenan's expanded biography at BJJ Heroes
- Keenan's MARanking (GI) profile
- Keenan's Membership Website
References
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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