Keenan Cornelius facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Keenan Cornelius
Born	Keenan Kai-James Cornelius (1992-02-25) 25 February 1992 (age 33) Hilo, Hawaii, U.S.
Other names	Black Belt Hunter Cat boy Keenus
Residence	San Diego, California, U.S.
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight	195 lb (88 kg; 13.9 st)
Division	Middle-heavyweight Middleweight Lightweight
Style	Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Fighting out of	San Diego, California, USA
Team	Atos Jiu-Jitsu (2013-2019) Team Lloyd Irvin (2011-2013) B.J. Penn's MMA (2008-2011) Cassio Werneck Jiu-Jitsu (2006-2008)
Rank	BJJ black belt (under Andre Galvao)
Medal record Representing  United States Submission Wrestling ADCC World Championships Silver 2017 -88kg Silver 2015 -88kg Bronze 2013 Absolute Bronze 2013 -88kg ADCC North American Championships Gold 2012 -88kg Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Jiu-Jitsu Championship Bronze 2019 Absolute (black) Bronze 2018 Heavy (black) Bronze 2016 Middle-Heavy (black) Bronze 2014 Absolute (black) Gold 2013 Middle-Heavy (brown) Silver 2013 Absolute (brown) Gold 2012 Middleweight (purple) Gold 2012 Absolute (purple) World No-Gi Championship Gold 2017 Middle-Heavy (black) Bronze 2017 Absolute (black) Gold 2014 Middle-Heavy (black) Silver 2014 Absolute (black) Gold 2012 Middle-Heavy (brown) Gold 2012 Absolute (brown) Gold 2011 Middleweight (purple) Pan-American Championship Gold 2018 Super-Heavy (black) Bronze 2018 Absolute (black) Gold 2015 Middle-Heavy (black) Silver 2014 Middle-Heavy (black) Gold 2013 Middle-Heavy (brown) Gold 2013 Absolute (brown) Gold 2012 Middleweight (purple) Gold 2012 Absolute (purple) European Open Championships Gold 2020 Heavyweight (black) Silver 2020 Absolute (black) Gold 2018 Heavyweight (black) Gold 2013 Middle-Heavy (brown) Gold 2013 Absolute (brown) Gold 2012 Middleweight (purple) Gold 2012 Absolute (purple) Brazilian National Jiu-Jitsu Championship Gold 2012 Middleweight (purple) Gold 2012 Absolute (purple) Asian Open Championship (Brazilian jiu-jitsu) Gold 2018 Ultra-Heavy (black) Gold 2017 Heavyweight (black) Gold 2017 Absolute (black) Atlanta International Championship Gold 2012 Middle-Heavy (brown) Gold 2012 Absolute (brown) Houston International Championship Gold 2012 Middle-heavy (purple) Gold 2012 Absolute (purple) Boston International Championship Gold 2013 Middle-Heavy (brown) Gold 2013 Absolute (brown) Las Vegas International Championship Gold 2013 Middle-Heavy (brown) Gold 2013 Absolute (brown) San Francisco International Open Gold 2014 Middle-Heavy (black) Gold 2014 Absolute (black)

Keenan Kai-James Cornelius is an American martial artist who is really good at Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He achieved something amazing called the Double Grand Slam in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This means he won two gold medals (one for his weight class and one for the open division) at four big tournaments: the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship, Pan-American Championship, European Open Championship, and Brazilian National Jiu-Jitsu Championship. He did all this when he was still a purple belt! Keenan is also famous for creating new fighting moves, like a special guard technique called the Worm Guard.

Keenan's Early Life and Training

Keenan Cornelius started learning martial arts when he was very young. His stepfather, Tom Callos, who was also a martial arts teacher, taught him. Tom Callos was even the first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor for the famous fighter B.J. Penn.

When Keenan was 14, he began practicing grappling with his friends. Soon after, he started taking formal Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes with Cassio Werneck. He then trained for three years with B.J. Penn before joining Team Lloyd Irvin. Even though he won many big competitions later, Keenan says he wasn't very good at first. He believes joining Team Lloyd Irvin helped him become successful.

Keenan's Amazing Career

In 2012, Keenan won a big competition in Montreal. In April 2012, he competed in the World Pro Jiu-Jitsu Cup, winning his weight division and getting a bronze medal in the open division. On June 26, 2012, Keenan earned his brown belt from Lloyd Irvin.

In February 2013, Keenan decided to leave Team Lloyd Irvin. A few days later, it was announced that he would join Atos Jiu-Jitsu. After moving to Atos, Keenan continued to be one of the best brown belts ever. He won almost every major tournament in his weight class and the open division. The only time he didn't win first place was in 2013, when he got second in the open division.

On September 14, 2013, Keenan was promoted to black belt by André Galvão. In December 2013, Keenan won $5,000 in a competition by defeating two other fighters.

Big Fights and Challenges

In March 2014, Keenan was supposed to fight Vinny Magalhaes, but Vinny got sick and couldn't compete. Kevin Casey took his place, and Keenan won the match. In April 2014, Keenan won a bronze medal at the Abu Dhabi BJJ World Pro Championship.

Later in 2014, Keenan had two more matches against tough opponents, Vinny Magalhaes and Yuri Simoes. Both matches ended in a draw, meaning no one won. In January 2015, Keenan fought Dean Lister and won by using a special move called a reverse triangle choke.

Keenan also had a very long match against Gordon Ryan in August 2016. The match lasted about 90 minutes before Keenan lost. In 2020 and 2021, Keenan had to pull out of some fights because of injuries, including an old back injury.

Legion Academy: Keenan's Own Gym

After leaving his long-time gym, ATOS, Keenan decided to start his own gym and fight team. On August 6, 2019, he announced that he would open Legion Academy in San Diego, California. Since opening, many top athletes from ATOS, like Andris Brunovskis and Darin Conner DeAngelis, have joined his team.

In January 2021, Keenan awarded his first BJJ black belt to Miha Perhavec, who had been training with him for a long time.

Legion Jiu-Jitsu has also sent teams to competitions. In August 2020, their team lost in the first round. However, in October 2021, a different team from Legion Jiu-Jitsu took second place in another competition, showing how strong Keenan's new gym is becoming.

Keenan's Special Techniques

Keenan is well-known in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world for creating and using a special type of guard technique. This technique is often called the Worm Guard. With the Worm Guard, Keenan uses his opponent's uniform (called a gi) to control them. He ties his leg to his opponent's hip and opposite leg using their loose lapel (the front part of the gi jacket). This locks them in place, leaving Keenan's other two limbs free to attack.

Keenan's success with the Worm Guard has inspired many other fighters to invent new techniques using the gi's lapels.

Media and Teaching

In 2013, Keenan released a 5-part DVD series where he taught his unique fighting style. In 2016, he launched Keenan Online, a website where people can become members and learn his techniques through online lessons.