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JR Lopez

@j_rlopez

1.6K

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1022

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only but a glimpse 🎩☝️
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Challenger, Enthusiast, Helper
Brooklyn, NY

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#puertorico
#doubletreebyhilton taken in DoubleTree by Hilton by @j_rlopez

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5 years ago

Don't forget to dance 🕺

Photo cred: @xxmuse5xx

#dance #nyc #houseofyes #facepaint taken in House of YES by @j_rlopez

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3 years ago

What is the value of a NASKA World Champion title?

While I don’t consider myself a world champion (yet), I can’t help but ask myself this question. Initially, I didn’t give it much thought. Competing on the circuit was something I wanted to do when I was younger, a Green Belt. I found it incredible that there was a Pan-American circuit where martial artists traveled to compete against their peers.

But I couldn't then. The harsh reality of having no insurance and the risk of serious injury was something I couldn’t ignore, considering I've always had family responsibilities. So, with that in mind, the opportunity to take it up nearly 2 decades later is bittersweet. I love it, but it’s certainly not any easier—far from it!
What I’ve learned since then there’s so much more to this journey. For starters, there’s undoubtedly a monetary barrier. Not everyone can afford to travel to multiple events. You could easily miss competing against the best competitor in your division. Also, by attending more events, you could edge one out in points.

The truth is the title is awarded to the #1 ranked competitor based on accrued points. It’s not an Elo ranking system and / or qualifying event—though honestly, that would be fantastic. It’s not a difficult thing to implement. Weird, right?

So, what does the title mean to me now?

First, it's not easy to begin with. The training alone to be competitive on the circuit is a feat all its own. Then, what competitors endure at events alone is a difficult task. Performing under all that pressure, ring times, judges, etc. can crush you. But, what's precious to me is that I can tell that Green Belt he didn’t quit! In the face of imposter syndrome and injuries!

This achievement I look at as a Journeymen title. It's a quest that's finally come to completion after being on the quest log a long time. But mostly, I feel grateful. While I may have forgotten it for a time, I’m so thankful to have rediscovered martial arts. The pursuit of being just a little bit better every day. Over the past 3 years, I’ve felt stronger & more alive than ever. Here’s to many more years of growth, passion, and new additions to the quest log. 🌍🥇🥋👊 taken in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York by @j_rlopez

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2 years ago

Imagine not needing to go to the flower shop to create something for a friend's birthday. 💐

Having a home garden may be a lot of work, but it definitely has its perks. 🌸🌹

#homegarden #homegardening #flowers #garden #greenthumb by @j_rlopez

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2 months ago

I don't think that first photo is about third place anymore.

It's funny how time has a way of changing your perspective.

Now, when I look at that picture, I don't see the result.

I see the beginning of this moment... and everything that happened in between.

#martialarts #sportkarate #karate #pointfighting #ACLRecovery by @j_rlopez

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2 months ago

There are no rainy days at the Dojo 🌤

#martialarts #pointfighting #sportkarate #karate by @j_rlopez

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3 months ago

A year ago, I was in rehab wondering what the road back would look like.

This past weekend, I stepped back onto one of the biggest events in our sport.

🥈 PF 40+ <189lbs

The journey isn't over, and there's still plenty to improve. But sometimes it's worth taking a moment to appreciate how far you've come.

Thanks to everyone @binnsvictorymartialarts I couldn't do it without your support!

#pointfighting #acl #martialarts #usopen #SportKarate by @j_rlopez

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3 months ago

🫡👊

Ocean State Grand Nationals 2026
🥈

#karate #sportkarate #martialarts #pointfighting #karateka by @j_rlopez

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6 months ago

A week ago I learned Magic The Gathering will be releasing a Star Trek set later this year. So I decided to log in and play some Arena. Last night after a week of late evening battles I'm proud to share this rank in Contructed Standard format, after so long removed from active play. 🤓🖖

Shout out to My Ramp Gang Peeps!!! 🙏👊
💪💪💪💪

#mtgcommunity #mtgarena #magicthegathering #rampgang #startrek by @j_rlopez

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7 months ago

March 16th — ACL torn. Challenge accepted.
Left knee. My lead leg.

Diagnosed fast. Operated faster.
No delay between knowing and doing.
No months of “maybe.”
Just decision. Just execution.

May 6th — ACL reconstruction.
Patellar tendon autograft.

January 24th — medically cleared at 8.5 months.

Most pivot-sport athletes take 9–12+ months.
Only ~55–65% return to their pre-injury competitive level.
Even fewer regain full confidence in rotational combat sports.

I’m 44.

Back sparring at 90%.
Throwing spinning kicks off my reconstructed knee.
Planting. Pivoting. Exploding.
No hesitation.

The swelling is minimal.
The confidence is earned.
The work was daily.

This wasn’t just rehab.
It was discipline.
Load management.
Mental reps.
Controlled aggression.

Grateful to the surgeons.
Grateful to my PT.
Grateful to my friends and family.
Grateful for a mindset that refuses to age quietly.

April — I step back into competition.

Not chasing a comeback story.
Not proving I’m “back.”

I’m competing.

Older.
Smarter.
Sharper.

Let’s work. 🥋🔥

#ACLRecovery #ComebackSeason #MartialArts
#SportKarate #Over40Athlete taken in Carmel, New York by @j_rlopez

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8 months ago

Returned to hallowed grounds this weekend.
Today marks my 6-month Return to Sport test — really, a checkpoint on the road to the 10-month milestone. Some might call it unnecessary. I call it accountability. A chance to see where I stand… and how far I’ve come.
Coming back to Lincoln wasn’t just about visiting — it was about remembering a time and place where I learned to dig deep. The smell of the turf, the echo of the pads, the same breeze through the bleachers — all of it reignited that old fire.

Coach O’Connor still has this photo hanging: “His First Captains.”
I found out this weekend he doesn’t name captains anymore.
Now, he appoints Players of the Week after film — they lead for the next game.
When I asked him why, he said:

“Because there aren’t any captains like you guys anymore.”

I wish Primus #72 were here to hear those words.

We were just 28 guys who took a team from 2–9 to 9–2 our senior year.
Now, the program has over 100 players — with more seniors graduating than we even had on the roster. Wild.
Once a Railsplitter, always a Railsplitter. 💪🏽

@nicky9_ @real_estatepapi
lincolnrailsplittersfb

#aclrecovery #karateka #football #martialarts
#acl #kickboxing #pointfighting #karate taken in Abraham Lincoln High School (Brooklyn) by @j_rlopez

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a year ago

I’ve stood at this starting line more times than I can count—since I was 12 years old. Back then, the track was dirt, the field a patchwork of grass. I still remember my first lap, struggling to keep up with the older boys, even though I thought I was in “excellent” shape. That day taught me a lesson I’ve carried ever since: nothing beats consistent hard work over time.

Today, I’m grateful to be running again. Lucky to return to this same place where I can begin once more. The pace doesn’t matter—what matters is showing up, putting in the work, and moving forward… even if it feels like I’m running like molasses. 😅

Here’s to new beginnings and old lessons that never fade.

#karateka #aclrecovery #martialarts #athletetraining #karate #sportkarate #acl #athletemindset #track taken in Coney Island by @j_rlopez

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a year ago