Double World Champion: Phillip Palmejar Conquers Pankration and Grappling

Phillip Palmejar has taken added to his world title – twice.

USA-based Phillip has followed his own path through martial arts through Tae Kwon Do, Jeet Kune Do, weaponry arts and more. He’s recently travelled to Romania to compete in the World Pankration Championships.

Pankration originated in ancient Greece and modern competitors draw on techniques from a variety of backgrounds.  Boxing and wrestling techniques are commonly used although kicks, chokes, joint locks and holds are also part of the sport, making it extremely difficult to master.   Due to the range of techniques, it is often compared with MMA.

Phillip won the tournament to secure the World title.

He followed this with an overall win in Grappling.

“My final 2024 Championship win was my top martial arts moment” Phillip says.  “All the work, suffering and mental focus, culminated in that moment.” 

Vegan fighter

Philip has been vegan since 2016 after 13 years vegetarian.  He now says “I would rather not eat than eat anything that contributes to animal suffering.”

“It was motivated entirely by my religious beliefs supporting my compassion towards all sentient beings. Once I realised that my actions contributed to the suffering of others, I had to change.”

Phillip also teaches enthusiastically and has trained student to success including world titles, and instructs US military personnel in unarmed combat.