From Mat to Mastery: The Journey of Drew Champlin

For Drew Champlin, the path to becoming a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and accomplished instructor began in the halls of academia.

As a college student pursuing a degree in exercise science, Drew’s curiosity led him to step onto the mats for the first time.

Little did he know, this seemingly small decision would forever change the courseof his life.

As he immersed himself in the world of BJJ, Drew’s passion grew exponentially. The once casual hobby quickly transformed into an all-consuming pursuit.

Between classes and studying, he found himself dedicating every spare moment to the mats, training daily, and testing his skills in numerous competitions as a white and blue belt.

Upon graduation, Drew juggled two worlds – by day, he excelled as a project manager in manufacturing, and by night, he donned his gi and shared his knowledge as a part-time BJJ instructor.

His talent and dedication shone through, and soon enough, he found himself teaching both adult and children’s classes at two different academies as a purple belt.

The call of competition never quieted for Drew. As a brown belt, he embarked on a journey that would take him to IBJJF tournaments across the United States.

The step up in competition was challenging, but Drew hammered away and eventually started to find himself at the top of the podium.

In December 2020, Drew’s unwavering commitment was rewarded with his promotion to Black Belt.

Now, as a seasoned practitioner and skilled instructor, Drew’s focus has shifted to nurturing the next generation of BJJ enthusiasts.

Through Champlin Jiu-Jitsu Academy, he brings world-class training to Northeast Indianapolis, guiding students on their own journeys from the mat to mastery.

With the legendary Carlson Gracie Team lineage, and an impressive array of tournament victories to his name, Drew Champlin stands as a testament to the transformative power of dedication, passion, and the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Competition Highlights:

Black Belt

IBJJF World Master 2024- 2nd place

FJJRIO Rei do Rio 2024- 1st place
IBJJF San Diego Open 2024 – 1st Place
IBJJF Los Angeles Open 2024 – 1st Place
IBJJF Austin Open 2024 – 2nd Place
IBJJF Chicago Open 2023 – 1st Place
IBJJF Nashville Open 2023 NoGi – 1st Place
IBJJF Atlanta Open 2023 – 1st Place
IBJJF Houston Open 2022 – 1st Place
IBJJF Chicago Open 2022 – 2nd Place
IBJJF Indianapolis Open 2021 – 1st Place
IBJJF Detroit Open 2021 – 2nd Place

Brown Belt
IBJJF Houston Open 2020 – 1st Place
IBJJF Atlanta Open 2020 – 1st Place
IBJJF Charlotte Open 2019 – 1st Place