Lundell, who has trained members of the CIA, FBI, Marines, Navy Seals, SWAT teams and local fire and police departments, said the technique allows people to control a situation without hurting their opponent, unlike other martial arts.

"If a girl was being raped, she could put a choke hold on (her attacker) and in 3 to 7 seconds he'd be asleep," said Lundell, who studies recreation management at UVSC.

Jiu-jitsu choke holds block off the carotid arteries on the side of the neck, cutting off the blood flow to the brain. As a result, the person in the choke hold quickly falls asleep.

Brandon Guzzo, Lundell's coach, trains with the jiu-jitsu champion every morning for two hours.

"The ability with which he learns is incredible," said Guzzo, who has been training wrestlers for 26 years and helps Lundell incorporate wrestling moves into his technique. "I've never seen a talent like him."

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E-mail: rwestenskow@desnews.com