One of the highest-ranked martial artists in the world happens to live in Chatham-Kent.
Thomas Armstrong, who runs Armstrong Academy of Martial Arts in Chatham, was recently ranked as the sixth-best competitor in his age group for no-gi in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
His ranking was given to him by the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, which evaluated nearly 800 similar-aged men from across the world.
Armstrong was able to earn his ranking thanks to strong performances in Canada and the United States over the past two years. His most recent gold medals were won in Nashville, Tennessee, in October.
He told CK News Today he originally wasn't planning to take part in the Tennessee competition, but a strong showing a few weeks earlier in Toronto encouraged him to take part.
"I went against the couple-time World Champion, and I barely lost, so I was like, honey, I need to sign up for the next one," Armstrong laughed.
He credited a strong work ethic and commitment to wanting to fight the best martial artists as reasons why he was able to reach his new ranking. Armstrong also believes his time coaching others through his academy has helped him become a better fighter.
"If I expect someone to try and do something, then I think I should be able to do it myself," said Armstrong.
Next on his schedule is a competition in Atlanta, Georgia. Since everyone can see who's signed up and their rankings, Armstrong believes some might be keeping a close eye on him.
"There are guys who sign up because they want to fight you. "Some guys won't sign up because they're like, ' There's a high-ranked guy there; I don't want to fight him," he laughed.
