Yaakov Luk, donning a tzitzit and black kippa, was raised in a Haredi household in Bnei Brak. He practices daily at the city's MMA club and competes professionally in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai, earning numerous medals and trophies. Despite his achievements, those close to him struggle to see him in the competitive arena.
If Yaakov's father were alive today, he would likely prefer his son to devote all his time to Torah study. It is unlikely he would have ever anticipated his 16-year-old son's remarkable success in martial arts.
"He would likely want me to study Torah in a yeshiva, perhaps work a humble job, and nothing more," Yaakov reflects. "None of my uncles believe he would have approved what I am doing. Nevertheless, I believe that if he could see me now, he might have had a change of heart."
"My mother refuses to attend my competitions and avoids watching any videos of them. She expresses concern, saying, 'I don't want to see you fighting. It would be better for you to focus on your studies and become a professor.' I have neighbors telling me that 'you don’t need this Yaakov, start studying a profession and work a normal job. It’s just a hobby'," he says.
"Even my aunt, who watches and supports me in competitions, told m, ‘Yaakov, this isn’t a job. You reached significant achievements, you’re winning competitions, training every day – but it’s not a job.’ I said: 'I don’t want anything else. This is where I’ll make a living, somehow'.”
Last year, Yaakov Luk won a gold medal in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the super welterweight class for the blue belt at the Israeli Central Open held by Sport Jiu-Jitsu International Federation. He also emerged triumphant in the first-ever Submission - Israel tournament.
'Who’ll protect me now?'
Luk lost his father, Asher, to cancer at the age of ten. He worked in construction and later became a school assistant and educator.
"I recall playing when my teacher arrived, fetched me from playtime, and escorted me home without an explanation," Luk said. "It was only at home that someone told me that God has only the best people with him. I understood."
Luk's love for martial arts is also interwoven with the pain of losing his father. "At times, I would stand up to older kids at school, and they'd hit me," he recounts. "I would approach my dad and say, 'Dad, that boy hit me.' My father would come in and make everything right."
“When he passed, I thought: my mom won’t come to school. Who’ll protect me now? I have no older brothers. No one to protect me. I told my mom: I want to learn how to fight.”
He started taking karate lessons but didn’t stick to them. “Me and my friends were troublemakers, interrupting the teachers. The principal called me one day and offered me to practice martial arts in the youth center,” Yaakov said. This is how he arrived at the Yonatan Youth Center which provides activities for Haredi youths in Bnei Brak.
From weakling to a powerhouse
He struggled with MMA at first. "Yaakov arrived at our gym four years ago as a relatively weak student," his trainer Ori Ohana said recounts. "He was thin and the weakest in his class to the point that I had trouble finding someone to pair up with him. Only one student had a similar skill set, and the rest were likely to overpower him.
Today, he's in the big leagues and trains with the best. He competes in MMA, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Muay Thai. His impressive achievements are a testament to his strong work ethic and indomitable will, as he strives to reach his ultimate goal of becoming a champion."
Ohana became an impactful figure in Yaakov’s life. “He’s a psychologist, a friend and a trainer,” Yaakov says. “I think it’s a life lesson,” Ohana replies. “I believe someone who succeeds in such a difficult field like MMA could succeed in any other subject in life.”
“Martial arts are the opposite of violence. I have witnessed numerous young people use martial arts to steer clear of drug abuse, alcoholism, and violent behavior. Those who come here are saving themselves from the negative influences waiting outside."
Tamir Golan, Luk’s Muay Thai instructor, expects great things from his student. “Yaakov’s investment in sports is the reason for his success. He’s diligent, tough and humble. If he continues like this, I think he could reach the UFC.” The UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) is largest MMA organization in the world, in which only a few Israelis competed.
Never count out the Bnei Brak bruisers
Yaakov’s training regime, which comprises two to three training sessions a day, helped him develop self-discipline in other areas as well. “I used to have no self-discipline. I’d say to myself I’d do something soon, but wouldn’t do it,” he says. “It helped when I was studying. When you train, you become more organized in your studies. You can sit down and listen.”
Yaakov's mother Shoshi eventually recognized the benefits of her son's hobby after some time.
"At first, I was apprehensive after watching a fight and vowed not to attend any future events unless it was necessary," she recalls. "However, as time passed, I noticed how the sport helped him develop self-control and take responsibility for himself. Despite my reservations, he remains determined to pursue this passion. I firmly believe in allowing children to follow their own path, even if it's not my personal preference."
Most of the fighters are from Haifa, Tel Aviv, and Holon, so when they hear that I am from Bnei Brak, they may underestimate me. However, our team competes and wins together
The Bnei Brak MMA team remains mindful of religious observances. Every Sunday, after training, students come together for a Torah lesson and join in prayer later in the evening.
Yaakov explains that they choose not to compete in competitions that take place on the Sabbath, the Jewish day of rest and usually participate in competitions held on Friday mornings instead.
When asked about how other competitors react to him coming from Bnei Brak, Yaakov stated, "Most of the fighters are from Haifa, Tel Aviv, and Holon, so when they hear that I am from Bnei Brak, they may underestimate me. However, our team competes and wins together."
Luk struggled with studying for long periods while attending a Bnei Brak school where he studied the Torah as a young child. He often skipped studying to hang out with friends. However, after he started training in MMA, it helped him regain focus on his studies. Now, Luk attends a Haredi yeshiva in Bnei Brak.
According to Eladad Ashuri, the head of the Youth Department in the Bnei Brak municipality's Education Department, the Yonatan Youth Center was established five years ago to offer a diverse range of activities to the youth and instill valuable life skills. Ashuri believes that every young person should strive to find their passion and motivation to succeed.
"Yaakov exemplifies the power of using free time to pursue meaningful activities," Ariel Cohen, an instructor at the Yonatan Youth Center, remarks. "It all began with his martial arts training, which led to him taking English courses, resuming his studies, and even completing a first aid course. Additionally, he actively volunteers in the community and is always eager to participate in our holiday events - he never gives up.”