Local resident Joel Thorsen took gold in the Jiu Jitsu competition at Wyoming State games over the weekend. Thorsen took gold in the heavyweight division of the gi category while taking bronze in the no-gi category.
Thorsen, while recovering from getting grain dust and field dust in his lungs after spending the week planting barley, won all but one of his matches. He commented that his first one was the most difficult one but used his takedown skills and submission threats to outwork and outmaneuver his opponents to take the title.
Thorsen trains at Pine Ridge Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu which has locations in both Chadron and Rushville.