Latest news with #DelMarJiuJitsuClub
Hindustan Times
08-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
US jiu-jitsu student awarded $56 million after being paralysed by black-belt instructor
A US jiu-jitsu student who was left paralysed from the neck down after a sparring session with his black-belt instructor has been awarded more than $56 million in damages, according to a report by the New York Post. (Also read: Paralysed woman in China exposes husband who fled with ₹3.5 crore after abusing and deceiving her) The incident occurred in 2018 at the Del Mar Jiu Jitsu Club in San Diego, where then-30-year-old Jack Greener, a beginner white belt, was sparring with his instructor, Francisco Iturralde, a 33-year-old second-degree black belt known by the nickname 'Sinistro'. Greener's injuries were the result of a manoeuvre during the training session, which video footage later showed caused his neck to twist unnaturally. He was on all fours when Iturralde flipped him forward, forcing him face-down and compressing his neck. 'The black belt instructor did a technique that placed his entire body weight on Greener's neck, causing him to instantly fall limp and lose all function of his limbs,' explained Brazilian jiu-jitsu legend Rener Gracie, who testified as an expert witness during the case. The impact crushed Greener's cervical vertebrae, rendering him a quadriplegic. He was hospitalised for months, suffering several strokes as a result of the trauma — all just weeks before he was scheduled to graduate from university. Greener filed a lawsuit against the jiu-jitsu studio, holding both the facility and Iturralde — who gained fame for his 'dynamic, aggressive grappling style' — responsible for the life-altering injury. As per the outlet, in 2023, a San Diego jury awarded Greener $46 million. The studio appealed the verdict, taking the case to the California Supreme Court, which this week declined to overturn the decision. A state appellate panel had previously affirmed the judgment late last year. With post-judgment interest, the total compensation has now surpassed $56 million, Greener's legal team confirmed. 'The final appellate court's ruling cements a critical legal victory not only for our client, but also for injured athletes across California by reaffirming that sports instructors and facilities may be held accountable when they unreasonably increase risks beyond those inherent in the sport,' said Rahul Ravipudi, one of Greener's attorneys. (Also read: Indian-origin student Bandna Bhatti paralysed after tragic fall at UC Berkeley: 'She faces a difficult…') Now a motivational speaker and mountain climber, Greener continues to inspire others while raising awareness about safety and accountability in sports training.
National Post
06-06-2025
- National Post
White belt student awarded $56M after being paralyzed by jiu-jitsu instructor
A beginner jiu-jitsu student in California was awarded $56 million ($77 million CDN) after being paralyzed by his black belt instructor during a sparring session. Article content Jack Greener, 30, a white belt, had been sparring with Francisco Iturralde, 33, during a Brazilian jiu-jitsu session in Del Mar, California, when he suffered the devastating spinal cord injury, KNSD reported. Article content Article content Article content The incident took place on Nov. 29, 2018, at Del Mar Jiu-Jitsu Club, when the two men were paired up. Article content Iturralde, a second-degree black belt, put his entire weight on Greener in a position that crushed the student's cervical vertebrae, rendering him a paraplegic. Article content Greener was hospitalized for several months and suffered multiple strokes among a series of other ailments, according to his attorneys. Article content The injured man was weeks away from graduating from college and was set to start a career as a professional surf instructor when he was paralyzed. Article content In 2023, a San Diego jury awarded him $46 million US, but with post-judgment interest, it now exceeds $56 million US. Article content The studio appealed the decision to the California Supreme Court, which declined to overturn the judgment this week. Article content Article content The verdict was also affirmed by a state appellate panel late last year, according to the outlet. Article content Greener sued the jiu-jitsu club for the injuries he suffered, blaming Iturralde, who is known on one website as 'Sinistro,' or 'Sinister,' for his 'dynamic, aggressive grappling style,' according to the New York Post. Article content 'When it occurred, the first thought that came to mind was, 'I'm going to be okay,' and then the second thought was, 'Oh s—, I can't move.'' Article content View this post on Instagram A post shared by CHASE VIKEN (@wavechase) Article content
West Australian
06-06-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Beginner jiu-jitsu student, Jack Greener awarded $86M after instructor's move left him paralysed
A California man has been awarded $US56 million ($A86 million) in damages after a devastating injury during a jiu-jitsu class left him paralysed from the neck down. Jack Greener, now 30, was a beginner student at Del Mar Jiu Jitsu Club in 2018 when he was injured while sparring with instructor Francisco Iturralde, a second-degree black belt known by the nickname 'Sinistro.' During a training session, Mr Iturralde flipped Mr Greener forward from an all-fours position, placing his full body weight onto the student's neck, according to the New York Post . Video footage captured the moment Mr Greener fell limp, with expert witness Rener Gracie telling the court that the technique instantly rendered him quadriplegic. The injury crushed Mr Greener's cervical vertebrae and led to multiple strokes while he was hospitalised for several months. At the time, Mr Greener was just weeks away from graduating from college. Mr Greener filed a lawsuit against the club, arguing that the injury was a result of excessive force and unreasonable risk. In 2023, a San Diego jury awarded him $46 million, a decision that was later affirmed by an appellate court. This week, the California Supreme Court declined to overturn the ruling, finalising a total judgement of $56 million in compensation. 'This ruling cements a critical legal victory not only for our client, but also for injured athletes across California,' said Mr Greener's attorney, Rahul Ravipudi, 'by reaffirming that sports instructors and facilities may be held accountable when they unreasonably increase risks beyond those inherent in the sport.' Mr Greener has since become a motivational speaker and mountain climber.
Perth Now
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Massive payout after Instructor's move paralyses student
A California man has been awarded $US56 million ($A86 million) in damages after a devastating injury during a jiu-jitsu class left him paralysed from the neck down. Jack Greener, now 30, was a beginner student at Del Mar Jiu Jitsu Club in 2018 when he was injured while sparring with instructor Francisco Iturralde, a second-degree black belt known by the nickname 'Sinistro.' During a training session, Mr Iturralde flipped Mr Greener forward from an all-fours position, placing his full body weight onto the student's neck, according to the New York Post. Video footage captured the moment Mr Greener fell limp, with expert witness Rener Gracie telling the court that the technique instantly rendered him quadriplegic. The injury crushed Mr Greener's cervical vertebrae and led to multiple strokes while he was hospitalised for several months. At the time, Mr Greener was just weeks away from graduating from college. Mr Greener filed a lawsuit against the club, arguing that the injury was a result of excessive force and unreasonable risk. In 2023, a San Diego jury awarded him $46 million, a decision that was later affirmed by an appellate court. This week, the California Supreme Court declined to overturn the ruling, finalising a total judgement of $56 million in compensation. 'This ruling cements a critical legal victory not only for our client, but also for injured athletes across California,' said Mr Greener's attorney, Rahul Ravipudi, 'by reaffirming that sports instructors and facilities may be held accountable when they unreasonably increase risks beyond those inherent in the sport.' Mr Greener has since become a motivational speaker and mountain climber.
