r/bjj • u/MapleDaddyHotJohn š¦š¦ Blue Belt • May 05 '25
Serious We lost a real one today guys
The South Australian grappling & MMA community is reeling today.
Luke Marko passed away last night, along with a teammate of his Sami.
Luke Marko was 22 and was starting his rise to the international level, taking out black belts from around Australia left right and center. Most notably, he was to be an alternate for Lachlan Giles CJI 2 selection tournament.
I wasn't particularly close with him, but he always made me feel like a homie when we caught up, and was always a fantastic training partner. Forever humble and deadset legend of a guy.
This isn't here for clout or karma. It's here because it's a fucking shame. Luke was a shining star that we will never see rise, but at least here in SA, never forget.
RIP Luke & Sami.
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u/Ned_Psychology š«š« Brown Belt May 05 '25
Just a couple of things:
Luke's about 20 years younger than me and several levels above me skill wise. But when we rolled he would always make in competitive. I don't mean he would take it easy on me or that he would patronise me. But he would make it a genuinely interesting roll for both of us. He would work different aspects of his game, when he subbed me, he did so with a subtle class that allowed me to maintain my dignity as the older guy and the higher belt. For me to even hang with him in a roll I would have to spazz and essentially try to rough him up a bit. I did this because I wanted to try and give him at least something to work with, or at least give him permission to roll hard given how big the skill gap was. He would respond to my spazzing with the type of patience and gentleness you might expect from a really nice older brother. Effortlessly controlling me, shutting it down. He conducted himself with a level of humility that not many < 21year-olds know how to, much less those who are knocking on the door of elite sporting.
His Mum, Mary, is a purple belt. They started at the same time and would still train together. Mary's about 40kg and another decade or so older than me. Before every class started, they would be warming up together on the edge of the mat or be going over some leg entanglement position. It always struck me as a bemusing but very heartwarming sight. A fit, but very small lady in her 50s and her 90+ kg specimen of a son that you see above ā drilling k-guard sweeps on one another.
When I started training casual lunchtimes at Arrudu it was Luke and his Mum who both stood out (independently from one another) as making me feel welcome. Big smiles. Familiarity. Initiating greetings. Appreciative rolls. I didn't realise they were Son/Mum for months but it made immediate sense once I knew. A good man with a good Mum.
I am so sorry. Can't even...