Akwasi Okyere

Akwasi started training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu through the New Haven Police Activity League (PAL). He was looking for a new challenge and found something he genuinely loved. Jiu-Jitsu taught him discipline, patience, and how to keep pushing when things get hard. He wrestled varsity in high school and placed 3rd at the Southern Connecticut Conference (SCC) Championships in his first season, building the conditioning and toughness he still brings to the mats today. He's competed at NAGA, FUJI, and Tap Out Cancer, winning multiple gold medals along the way.

What Akwasi's most proud of is coaching. He runs the PAL Jiu-Jitsu Kids Program, helping young athletes build confidence and strong fundamentals both on and off the mats. For him, training has always been about more than winning: it's about becoming a better person and staying consistent. At VIA, he's continuing that work with the Kids program, passing on the same opportunities that shaped him.