Jonnie Broad took his passion and extreme dedication for martial arts to Las Vegas this summer where he cashed in with a huge win on the international stage.
A journey that began months earlier for the Ladner teen concluded with winning his age division at the United Fighting Arts Federation (UFAF) World Championships. The organization and mixed martial arts (MMA) system was founded in 1979 by Chuck Norris. Each year the legendary martial artist and actor hosts the world event at the South Point Hotel Casino — attracting competitors from throughout the U.S. and beyond.
Broad had some previous success at local competitions such as kick boxing events at the Richmond Olympic Oval, however, he had never been exposed to the bright lights of MMA until he came under the wing of Laurian Lapadatu — owner of Tsawwassen Martial Arts and Tactix Gym, along with black belts in several disciplines.
“I asked him where do you want to compete again? The corner of the street or against the big boys,” smiled Lapadatu. “I would never send a guy who I think was not going to win.”
The single knockout format left no room for error and Broad was against bigger opponents in each of his bouts. Yet, he methodically took care of business showcasing his variety of MMA skills.
“I was nervous. I hadn’t even been on a plane before,” laughed Broad. “I was there on my own with no team in this huge arena. The heart was beating pretty good but my confidence grew with each win. I was getting lucky in Vegas.”
It was being one of the smaller kids in his school that made Broad reach out to MMA to enhance his confidence. He joined a local club and not only enjoyed success as an athlete but gained enough knowledge to become a volunteer instructor to younger kids as well.
“Every day it was school. Come home then go to the gym from 4-to-9 p.m. I took to it right away and just loved it,” he recalled.
However, it was last fall when Broad learned the club would be shutting down and he was devastated. His career was suddenly at a cross-roads.
He was looking for a potential new home when he stumbled upon construction of Tactix Gym and the adjacent Tsawwassen Martial Arts Centre. The site manager passed on Lapadatu’s contact info and Broad’s MMA career was about to ascend to an entirely different level — as a competitor and a leader.
What Lapadatu initially saw was a student that was willing to pour a tremendous amount of time in realizing his potential.
“He is a good kid and the most important thing at his age is not many have that kind of discipline to be in the gym training five hours a day,” said Lapadatu. “It can be hard building them the way you want but with the gym still under construction, I had time to train him. I put everything on the table for him.”
It was around February when the potential trip to Vegas was brought up. By then Broad has seen his improvements beyond the competitive mats.
“Laurian cleaned up my technique but also worked on me inside as a martial artist,” said Broad who excels in karate, Brazilian jujitsu and wrestling. “Externally I was a good fighter and everything but he kind of showed me how to be an instructor and carry myself as a martial artist.
Now Broad is leading children’s classes at the studio and one day would love to have his own school. Enrolling in kinesiology classes to compliment his potential career are in his future plans.
