Mixed Martial Arts

Tohatchi siblings making a name for themselves in octagon

WINDOW ROCK

After losing their wrestling team in the mid-1990s, a group of siblings have found a way to compete in hand-to-hand combat.

Michael Mitchell and children Hunter, Myron, and Amy have banded together to promote the sport of mixed martial arts in their home community of Tohatchi, New Mexico.

“We have no wrestling team, so we have to compete like this,” said Michael. The siblings have learned a few wrestling moves from their uncle who is a state champion of Tohatchi wrestling.

Usually, they practice every evening when they are free from school or sports, practicing moves and conditioning.

The siblings train with well-known Diné MMA trainer Reginal Mitchell.

“We trained for three weeks with him, he taught his technique to the kids and worked with them on moves,” said Michael.

The boys will compete in a competition on Sept. 10. They will compete in Grapplefest 24 this September in Rio Rancho.

The boys are a little young for their divisions; sometimes the siblings have to compete in older divisions.

However, they all did well in a competition in Albuquerque in August, Myron took home a silver and a bronze metal. Myron took back two silver metals while Amy took back two bronze from the competition.

After the competition in Albuquerque, it was obvious to the siblings they were the only natives who had competed in the tournament.

“It’s awesome because no one knows this stuff,” said Myron.

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