Battling For A Cure

By Ross Forman

Eryk Przywara, a Level 4 official heading in his ninth season, started jiu-jitsu to get in shape, and he’s lost about 30 pounds since beginning. The combat sport has since, “turned into an obsession,” he said.

Now his jiu-jitsu journey is really getting serious – for a great cause.

Przywara, 22, who lives in Mount Prospect, will compete at the Tap Out Cancer (TCO) Chicago BJJ Open on October 10 at the Oak Lawn Pavilion.

“Cancer is a terrible disease,” Przywara said. “Most of us have been impacted by it in one way or another, whether it was a family member, a loved one or ourselves. Being able to step on the mats and help raise money for that fight just made sense.”

Przywara officiated about 160 games last season, mostly high school and AAA, and he skated everywhere from West Dundee to Evanston, the Blackhawks Ice Center to Lake Forest.

He officiated the 2025 USA Hockey Nationals at 18U (tier 2) and the 2025 AHAI state championships – some of his officiating career highlights.

“I’m excited (for the 2026-27 season); I had some lessons learned last year that I’m eager to apply to my game this year and hopefully have a great season,” Przywara said.

He’s just as excited for the October battle. 

“I’m excited to compete and to hopefully make difference in the fight against cancer. I’m excited and nervous; it’s my first time competing after training for months, but I’m glad that my first competition is for a good cause.”

Przywara said the strength of his fight game is finding joint locks and chokes in tricky positions. His training will include working in tricky positions and doing full length rolls, he said. 

“I’m nervous going into it. It’s widely believed that being nervous before anything is a natural sign that someone cares deeply about what they’re doing and the outcome of what they do,” he said.

TCO is a 501(c3) non-profit organization that holds worldwide jiu jitsu competitions with all proceeds going to various charities supporting organization that fight cancer. Since 2021 TCO has gifted $5.5 million to various organizations, such as the American Brain Tumor Association, Alex’s Lemonade Stand, Camp Sunshine, Christopher’s Haven, and more.

“I’ve had multiple family members diagnosed with cancer, an uncle who had lung cancer, a cousin who had prostate cancer and my great grandmother had lymphoma,” Przywara said.

“Jiu-jitsu is something I truly enjoy doing; I have a passion for it and if there’s any good I can bring to the world through something I’m passionate about, whether that be through grappling or through officiating, I’d gladly do it. Competing in this October event and fundraising for it is just one way I can help bring even just a little bit of good into the world through a passion of mine.”

Przywara added: “Chances are everyone has been impacted by cancer in some way, shape or form, and that’s why we see so many fundraisers for cancer charities in the sports community, especially the hockey community. Sports are a great way to bring awareness to cancer and fundraise for research to hopefully one day eradicate cancer.”

•    To support Przywara in his jiu-jitsu competition and help Tap Out Cancer, go to: https://wecan.tapcancerout.org/fundraiser/7476879