Elmir Karajica was born in Sarajevo, Bosnia in 1973. From an early age, Elmir had a passion for the Martial Arts and competitive sports. He began Judo training at age 7, which lead to multiple state championships and an accomplished blue belt by the time he was 16. During that same time period (age 10), he began his journey into Olympic lifting, where he again obtained multiple Bosnian state championships, breaking the Yugoslavia national records, and was invited to train with the Yugoslavia national team at age 17.
Unfortunately, the onset of the Bosnian war cut short his opportunity to continue his Olympic training, as he enlisted in the Bosnian Special Forces at age 18. Over the course of the next 4 years of the war he was trained in and experienced real-life combat fighting and techniques.
Following the war in 1996, Elmir relocated to the state of Iowa, USA. His passion for power lifting was re-awakened and he set off to break multiple state of Iowa power lifting records in bench press, dead-lift, squats, and bicep curls. At 28, a new interest emerged in endurance sports, as he began training and competing in triathlons, marathons, adventure and obstacle races, and long, difficult hikes, such as the Grand Canyon RIM to RIM, and Colorado’s Long’s Peak. In 2008, Elmir qualified to represent his home country, Bosnia in the Olympics in triathlons.
Elmir continued to advance his education and knowledge in those sports, gaining certifications in USA Track and Field, TRX, and as a YMCA personal trainer. He utilized those certifications coaching kids and adults to help them succeed in triathlons, running, and lifting events.
Then in 2015, in the growing town of Waukee, Iowa, No Coast BJJ gym opened. That first night of class, Elmir was hooked and has since been relentlessly training and competing for the last 5 years. Under the supervision and coaching of owner and professor, Jared Bahr, Elmir has ascended to blue belt status claiming Gold at the IBJJF Chicago open, in addition to multiple tournament podium wins. Elmir was awarded his Brown Belt in BJJ in 2022.
Furthering his education, Elmir is studying to become a certified personal trainer and nutrition specialist at the National Academy for Sports Medicine, and coaching Jiu Jitsu at No Coast BJJ, as he pursues his goal to earn his promotion to black belt and become a full-time coach.
After 2 months I can now say, Professors Jared and Cliff are teeming with knowledge and information about their sport. They are more than willing to answer questions, even encouraging the asking most of the time. They, and the rest of the instruction team, also aren't afraid to point out mistakes and shortcomings (usually in a funny and witty manner). This make for an extremely productive environment to learn in. Constructive criticism along with the encouragement to be your best self seems to be at the core here. Joining No Coast BJJ has been on of the best decisions that I've made in a long time. Looking forward to learning and continuing the uphill battle! Thanks for your time Professor!
With my parents recently moving to Waukee and myself at their home visiting for winter break from school I wanted to find something to help me stay active over the holidays. From the first time I contacted No Coast BJJ to making me feel very welcome and taken care of during my first class, I realized No Coast is the place to learn jiu-jitsu. They worked with my short two-week time frame that I had in Waukee and made it possible for me to learn the basics of the sport. Having no previous martial arts experience, all the instructors took the time during each class to start from square one helping me build a solid foundation. In fact, I felt like I got a new instructor every time I went in for a work out; everyone there is extremely friendly and helpful! Every person I met asked me my name and made me feel respected even as a complete beginner. This quality and atmosphere is something unique to No Coast as it shows their focus on you as an individual to help you learn and be the best you can be. It’s too bad I have to go back to school and can no longer attend classes at No Coast, but thanks to them I now have a solid foundation of BJJ from which I can build upon.
Thank you for taking the time to make me feel so welcome, see you Saturday for my last class! I highly recommend this place for anyone interested!
I was very impressed with the instructors at No Coast during the kids jiujitsu class. They are great at attention to detail but also great at knowing when the kids just need to roll for a while and figure things out themselves. We live out of town but will be visiting No Coast every time we visit family in the Des Moines area!