Category Five's lineage comes from Jiu-Jitsu legends and multiple time World Champions Saulo and Xande Ribeiro. Saulo received his black belt from Royler Gracie in 1995 and passed on his knowledge to Chris Blanke, his first American Black Belt. The gym continues to grow and improve through the guidance of Chris, who is the owner of the Toledo Jiu-Jitsu Center / Badger Style Team, senior member of the Six Blades Jiu-Jitsu Team, IBJJF 4th degree Black Belt, multiple time champion, and a certified defensive tactics instructor for the state of Ohio.
The instructors at Category Five represent various martial arts backgrounds and specialties including Jiu-Jitsu, mixed martial arts, and defensive tactics. Head instructor Wes Thompson is a black belt under Scott Layton with over 20 years of combat sport experience. Shannon Newhouse received his Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt under Scott Layton in 2018 and has over 15 years of BJJ experience. Other instructors include Samuel Hedrick (black belt, 2024), Jacob Mills (black belt, 2025), Ted Malone (black belt under Saulo and Xande Ribeiro, certified Law Enforcement Defensive Tactics Instructor), and Matthew Haid (black belt, 2024, 15+ years experience). The academy values community, passion, perseverance, fun, and respect, building resilient athletes both on and off the mats.
Hurricane, United States 25526
Head Instructor
Wes Thompson
Black Belt
Facilities
Sports Offered
Photos
No photos yet
Class Schedule
Monday (6 classes)
No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu Fundamentals
Beginner-friendly no-gi grappling program
Open Mat
Open training time for all members
Kids Ages 5-7 Jiu-Jitsu Class
BJJ helps kids gain confidence, learn discipline, focus their energy, foster respect for others, and be a part of a one-of-a-kind community full of future friends
Kids Ages 8-12 Jiu-Jitsu Class
BJJ empowers a smaller individual to fight against a larger opponent. BJJ helps kids gain confidence, learn discipline, focus their energy, foster respect for others, and be a part of a community.
Gi Jiu-Jitsu Fundamentals
Beginner-friendly BJJ program focusing on core techniques with the gi
Open Mat
Open training time for all members
Tuesday (5 classes)
No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu All Levels
All levels no-gi grappling for teens and adults
Open Mat
Open training time for all members
Kickboxing
Kickboxing classes for fitness and self-defense, ages 13 and up
No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu All Levels
All levels no-gi grappling for teens and adults
Open Mat
Open training time for all members
Wednesday (6 classes)
No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu All Levels
All levels no-gi grappling for teens and adults
Open Mat
Open training time for all members
Kids Ages 5-7 Jiu-Jitsu Class
BJJ helps kids gain confidence, learn discipline, focus their energy, foster respect for others, and be a part of a one-of-a-kind community full of future friends
Kids Ages 8-12 Jiu-Jitsu Class
BJJ empowers a smaller individual to fight against a larger opponent. BJJ helps kids gain confidence, learn discipline, focus their energy, foster respect for others, and be a part of a community.
Gi Jiu-Jitsu Fundamentals
Beginner-friendly BJJ program focusing on core techniques with the gi
Open Mat
Open training time for all members
Thursday (5 classes)
No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu All Levels
All levels no-gi grappling for teens and adults
Open Mat
Open training time for all members
Kickboxing
Kickboxing classes for fitness and self-defense, ages 13 and up
Gi Jiu-Jitsu All Levels
All levels BJJ training with the gi for teens and adults
Open Mat
Open training time for all members
Friday (5 classes)
Gi Jiu-Jitsu Fundamentals
Beginner-friendly BJJ program focusing on core techniques with the gi
Open Mat
Open training time for all members
Kids Ages 8-12 Jiu-Jitsu Class
BJJ empowers a smaller individual to fight against a larger opponent. BJJ helps kids gain confidence, learn discipline, focus their energy, foster respect for others, and be a part of a community.
No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu All Levels
All levels no-gi grappling for teens and adults
Open Mat
Open training time for all members
Saturday (3 classes)
Open Mat
Open training time for all members
Open Mat
Open training time for all members
Kickboxing
Kickboxing classes for fitness and self-defense, ages 13 and up
Sunday (2 classes)
Open Mat
Open training time for all members
Open Mat
Open training time for all members
Monthly Membership
Popular-
Unlimited Jiu-Jitsu training, ages 13 and up
What's Included
Payment Options
We accept all major payment methods
Wes Thompson
Shannon Newhouse
Samuel Hedrick
Jacob Mills
Ted Malone
Matthew Haid
Location & Directions
Street Address
270 Progress Way Unit A2, Hurricane, WV 25526
City, Country, ZIP
Hurricane, United States 25526