George Chihara (left) battled his way to the gold medal match with two submissions and a point victory.

LAHAINA — Lahainaluna High School Class of 2010 graduate George Chihara captured a silver medal in the Featherweight 154-pound division at the Jiu Jitsu World League Championships held in mid-December at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in Southern California.

A two-time Maui Interscholastic League wrestling champion and 2010 Hawaii High School Athletic Association state silver medalist, Chihara was among some 3,000 jiu jitsu practitioners competing in the tournament.

He was introduced to the Brazilian martial art at the Lahaina Carlson Gracie Jiu Jitsu Club under Sensei Christian Grandi and continued practicing in California during his Coast Guard career.

Now, the married — to high school sweetheart and wrestling and jiu jitsu partner Kazia Lecker Chihara of Hana — practitioner continues training in jiu jitsu while continuing his career in the Coast Guard stationed at Maalaea.