Veteran double-amputee finds joy in Brazilian jiu-jitsu

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Laughter isn’t something you’d expect to hear in a jiu-jistu gym.

“If you’re not giggling, if you don’t have a smile on your face, something’s wrong with you,” Julian Torres says.

Torres laughs especially loud. Celebrating his second year on the mats, the 35-year-old didn’t always have this much joy.

“It’s not so much how good I am at jiu-jitsu, it’s how good jiu-jitsu is for me,” Torres says.

In 2010, the Marine lost both of his legs after stepping on a bomb in Afghanistan, leaving him a double-amputee.

“The blast pretty much took both legs right at the scene. It was real touch-and-go for a while, but I’m here,” says Torres.

After earning a Purple Heart, the northern California native underwent rehab at Camp Pendleton.

The non-profit organization, Semper Fi and America’s Fund, helped his family financially during their time of need.

“I got hurt July 15th, 2010. July 18th, 2010, I was stateside,” he says. “I met them July 19th. I didn’t even know them before I got hurt. These people, these women in particular, were a God-send for sure.”

Last year, the Fallbrook resident earned second place in a San Diego-based jiu-jitsu tournament, completely immersing himself in the sport.

“Regardless of your body shape or body size, it’s a place for you on the mats. Particularly Gracie Barra in Oceanside,” he says.

Julian has mastered the double leg takedown and climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in 2015.

“Roof top of Africa, man. The magnitude of something like Kilimanjaro, constantly in the foreground, I always have that anchor to pull on,” says Torres.

Torres plans to keep climbing and is scheduled to participate in the CompNet National Tournament on Nov. 30th.

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