Joseph Thompson empowers the vulnerable through jiu-jitsu
Joseph Thompson, top, owner of Lockdown Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, demonstrates a move with student Zach Ednie, bottom, as he teaches a class in his Ronkonkoma location on the evening of August 15, 2025. Credit: Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara
A Holtsville man who said he grew up in an abusive household is helping people in similar situations through the sport of Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Joseph Thompson, the owner of Lockdown Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Lake Ronkonkoma, opened his studio 16 years ago and today offers free classes each month for up to 50 people on topics including self-defense, bullying prevention and dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Thompson, 65, was honored for his generous efforts last month with a certificate of recognition from the Suffolk County Police Department.
“It’s humbling and nice, but it’s not why I do it,” Thompson, a three-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion, said of the award. “I try to give back so I can help others. The way I grew up, I just want to help other people pursue their dreams and passions.”
Thompson, whose family moved 13 times in 13 years before eventually settling in East Meadow, said he suffered both verbal and physical abuse up until he moved out at the age of 15. He said he then lived on the streets for more than a year — sleeping in places ranging from local beaches to tunnels — before he was taken in by his grandparents and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at 17, he said.
As a child, Thompson said he would pretend to box at a gym in Queens and as a teen trained in tae kwon do before learning American combat karate. It wasn’t until his 40s, though, that he discovered his passion for Brazilian jiu-jitsu and went on to win three world titles through the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation — the most recent being in 2022.
The highlight for him has been working with his students, he said.
“It’s a great feeling to watch the kids,” Thompson said. “I’ve had kids come into the place who wouldn’t even speak. They grow up right in front of you.”
One of Thompson’s recent offerings was a free self-defense class for women in partnership with the East Northport-based nonprofit Empowered Muslim Women of New York. The organization’s founder, Shazia Jabeen, called Thompson “truly inspiring.”
“All the members felt empowered and reassured by the training they received,” Jabeen said. “As a minority group, we are acutely aware that many of our women often feel like targets for hate crimes.”
Thompson’s other efforts include having raised more than $100,000 for veterans through fundraisers such as fighting 22 opponents in a 22-minute span last year, according to Dave Agtsteribbe, the finance officer for American Legion Post 924 in Hampton Bays.
“They don’t come any better than Joe,” Agtsteribbe said.
Michael R. Ebert is an education researcher and has worked for Newsday in various capacities since 2003. He was part of an 11-person team named as 2008 Pulitzer Prize finalists for investigative coverage of the LIRR's platform safety issues.
