Keyden McCue, 17, of Honey Harbour has only been doing jiu-jitsu for two years but he has already won the Ontario championships twice.
He's four-for-four in winning tournaments he's entered. The first was the Ontario Open in October, 2023. In the finals, McCue got flipped over on his back. In wrestling that would have been the end of the match, but he held on and accumulated two more points than his opponent.
"In wrestling, you can't choke or bend someone's arm back. In jiu-jitsu, submission is the best way to win. They tap out," McCue says.
Keyden and his brother Merritt, 16, joined Driven Jiu Jistsu in Midland to explore their interest in martial arts.
"It definitely helps to have a brother. We always train with each other whenever we can,” says McCue.
McCue, who attends Simcoe Shores Secondary School in Midland and works at a local restaurant, gets to the gym as often as possible and works hard on learning the sport.
"Keyden has made some great commitments and positive choices to pursue martial arts at Driven Jiu Jitsu," says Alex Jeffrey, head coach.
"He truly is a competitor that likes to push and challenge himself. He understands the required commitment necessary to accomplish his goals. He has a natural ability and learns the art very efficiently," Jeffrey adds.
Keyden, who is a card-carrying member of Beausoleil First Nation, has been competing in the adult white-belt division in the 135 to 145 pound weight class. Standing 5'10" tall, Keyden now weighs 150 pounds so will be changing weight class.
The Barrie Open was his second tournament in June. It was his first tournament wearing a gi, the traditional uniform.
"I don't like the gi. They can grab your pant legs and sleeves. In no gi, they can't do that. I prefer that," says McCue.
His third competition was the Ontario Open in October. He won gold in the no gi category.
"I won my first two matches by submission and made the finals, but my opponent was injured. I wasn't very happy about that," McCue says.
His fourth tournament was the Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) Niagara Open November 16, an international tournament exposing McCue to the top world competitors.
In January, McCue will be competing in the Grappling Industries Toronto competition, another large tournament with more than 800 athletes entered.
On December 9, Keyden was tested and attained his blue belt. He will now be competing in the blue-belt division.
"I would like to see Keyden be successful at this new challenging level at tournaments as well as continue to improve. I look forward to his continued growth and being a positive influential team member with us," said Jeffrey.
Keyden's 16-year-old brother Merritt McCue also competes in jiu jitsu and also earned his blue belt this month.
After athletes attain a belt at Driven, they have to undergo the "shark tank," so Keyden and Merritt were "it."
"It's an hour of everyone in the gym lined up in a circle, beating the crap out of people who just levelled up. It's very tiring, but it's fun," said Keyden. "It's all right for the last 20 minutes as everyone else starts dying down."
So who's the better jiu-jitsu athlete?
"I'd say I am but he might have a different answer," says Keyden.
For more information about Driven Jiu Jitsu, visit its website.
