Nick Hartman stepped onto the mat at the 2026 ADCC West Coast Trials in the over 218 lbs (+99 kg) division carrying more than competitive pressure. He was driven by a personal mission tied to his daughter’s condition.
After winning the division and securing his invitation to ADCC, Hartman addressed the moment directly.
“Oh my God, what a rush. It’s one of the greatest days of my life. You know, seven years ago I started Jiu-Jitsu. Six years ago I had my daughter. That was the greatest day of my life, the day that she was born.”
What followed shifted the focus away from competition.
“I wanted to use this moment. I worked so hard to get to this point because I wanted to use this as a platform. A year after my daughter was born she lost her vision, she lost her hearing.”
His daughter Jackie lives with RTD type 2, a rare medical condition that affected both her vision and hearing early in life. Hartman explained that his goal extended beyond winning a match.
“It was my goal to get here. I get in front of a bunch of people and tell them, I want to find out where the doctors are, where the hospitals are, that can help my daughter. The publicity is what I needed.”
He then made a direct appeal.
“I’m hoping that someone out there that can see this right now… Sweetest little girl in the world. I just want to live her. I want her to live as close to a normal life as possible. This is for her, for Jackie. Thank you guys.”
The moment resonated throughout the grappling community. On the FloGrappling Show, Michael Sainz, who won the 170 lbs (77 kg) division, highlighted Hartman’s performance and message.
“Nick Hartman, man. Shout out to Nick Hartman. He really, really crushed it, man. I was so happy for him. Especially, you know, with the post you guys made on him for his daughter. Like, no one more deserving. Really, no one more deserving.”
Sainz emphasized that the impact went beyond results.
“I met him at East Coast and I didn’t really talk to him much, but man, after this one, how can you not be a fan? That guy crushed it.”
Host Trey Robinson expanded on why the moment stood out.
“He had an incredible run. We’ve been big on Nick for a while now. It was kind of one of those guys that felt like eventually it was going to be his time. And also, the thing that Michael talked about, where after he won, he kind of just immediately started talking to the camera and he explained a deeper purpose behind this trials run and everything. Hearing him talk afterwards about his goal was to win trials so that then he could basically have a platform to be able to talk about a situation that his daughter is dealing with, where she lost her vision and her hearing, I believe. And he wanted to put that out there and ask, you know, if people knew of doctors or hospitals where they can help her out, and kind of help spread the word around that and potentially help his daughter live as normal of a life as she can.”
Robinson made it clear how that shifted perception.
“Nick Hartman, I was already a fan. He skyrocketed for me. When you realize a person is doing this for a reason bigger than themselves, it just makes it so much more meaningful.”
He also addressed the broader community directly.
“Nick’s daughter’s condition is called RTD type 2. If you know any way of being able to help, doctors, hospitals, things like that that he mentioned, please reach out to Nick.”
“Some things are bigger than the sport, some things are bigger than a gold medal, and this is that. I think truly that the jiu-jitsu community is a special place when we can come together and do things for other people. I’m hoping that the jiu-jitsu community can get behind a guy like Nick Hartman, who just deserves the world, and so does his daughter. Share that clip if you can and let’s show Nick that the jiu-jitsu community kind of cares about him and we can help.”
Hartman was one of eight winners at the 2026 ADCC West Coast Trials. Other champions included Gianni Grippo at 145 lbs (66 kg), Michael Sainz at 170 lbs (77 kg), Nathan Haddad at 194 lbs (88 kg), Elder Cruz at 218 lbs (99 kg), and Hartman in the over 218 lbs (+99 kg) division. On the women’s side, Sheliah Lindsey won 121 lbs (55 kg), Sarah Galvao won 143 lbs (65 kg), and Paige Borras won over 143 lbs (+65 kg).
For those able to assist, the message remains direct. Anyone with knowledge of medical professionals or hospitals experienced in treating RTD type 2 is encouraged to reach out to Nick Hartman.
