Bjj Lab head instructor, Corey Lillis, looks on as Kayley Clarke practices a takedown on her mother. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Martial Arts

Prince Albert mother and daughter strengthen bond through jiu-jitsu

May 22, 2022 | 8:00 AM

For Natasha Chartrand and her 16-year-old daughter, Kayley Clarke, mother-daughter time involves practicing escapes from wrist locks and tossing each other to the ground.

For the past two years they’ve been working out together at the Bjj Lab in Prince Albert. Chartrand told paNOW when the training facility first opened, she approached her daughter about trying it and the rest is history.

“I fell in love with it. I think Kayley feels the same way too,” she said.

During Thursday night’s training session, Clarke, who also has a background in wrestling, appears to effortlessly take her mother down to the mat. A slight smile crosses her face as she does.

“I’m very proud of her. She impresses me with her strength and her determination. Like, she puts in the work,” Chartrand said, adding she also takes comfort knowing her daughter can take care of herself.

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Clarke and Chartrand practice some release techniques. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

Despite her small frame and shy nature, Clarke is no one to be messed with. Last weekend she competed with the Prince Albert Wrestling Club at provincials in Saskatoon and returned home with two gold medals (greco-roman and freestyle). She won all four matches she had.

The Grade 10 student is now focused on her next challenge, competing in her first Brazilian jiu-jitsu tournament on June 4.

“I’m excited,” she said, adding she enjoys learning all the moves and is just focused on doing her best.

When asked about training with her mother, Clarke smiles and jokes about the opportunity to get the upper hand.

“It’s really fun I get to choke her,” she said, while laughing.

In addition to her mother, Clarke said another one of her role models is her instructor, Corey Lillis.

“He’s really calm when he’s in a match,” she said.

Looking ahead to her upcoming tournament in Regina, Clarke said wrestling and jiu-jitsu work well together, noting there’s a lot of similar moves.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell