Columbia River Jiu Jitsu

Columbia River Jiu Jitsu is led by Chris Nakato, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt with over 14 years of experience on the mats. Chris has worked with students ranging from kids to adults, focusing on building confidence and practical skills through patient, hands-on instruction. The academy’s approach centers on real-world applications of combat sports, blending stand-up striking, takedowns, and ground fighting to prepare students for various situations. Training at Columbia River Jiu Jitsu covers a full spectrum of grappling styles, including traditional Gi classes, No-Gi sessions, and MMA-focused Jiu-Jitsu. This variety lets practitioners develop all parts of their game—whether they want to sharpen leg lock entries in No-Gi, drill takedowns off strikes, or deepen their Gi techniques. Wrestling and fight functional Jiu-Jitsu rounds out the curriculum, emphasizing control, positioning, and adaptability in live scenarios. Striking is also an important part of the program, with classes in kickboxing, boxing, and MMA sparring. These sessions focus on distance management, timing, and pacing, giving students plenty of opportunities to spar and apply what they learn. The gym welcomes a mix of practitioners and offers a flexible environment for those looking to grow across multiple disciplines in one place. The facility is wheelchair accessible, located on NW Lakeshore Avenue in Vancouver, Washington.

Amenities