Russell County’s Jacob Roy has earned gold on the world stage. 
According to his mother Amy, Roy won the middleweight division at the 2026 World Sport Jujitsu League Championships in Guatemala on Saturday, capturing gold while representing Team USA.
The championships are taking place this weekend in Santo Domingo Xenacoj.
Roy began training at Wade’s Martial Arts Academy in Russell Springs just over three years ago, when he was sixteen. He entered the world championships after earning first-place finishes at tournaments in Tennessee and Somerset, followed by a national event in Virginia.
In an interview with WJRS NEWS before leaving for Guatemala, Roy said he was proud to represent his hometown, Kentucky and the United States.
Now that journey has brought him a world championship gold medal.
Congratulations, Jacob & family!