Fort Bragg Hosts Combatives Tournament

NC, UNITED STATES

12.20.2019

Story by Pvt. Isaiah Raibon 

22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment   

The Fort Bragg Combatives Tournament is a competition where the best fighters in the U.S. military can face each other. Next year, the tournament is being renamed as the Matthew Joskowitz Cup in honor of a Soldier who passed away earlier this year. Matthew Joskowitz was a Soldier born to fight and who loved the technical and physical challenge. His mother, Rachel Joskowitz, said he always wanted to be a wrestler since he was a kid and has always loved to fight. He enjoyed wrestling in high school and continued to do so once he joined the military straight out of high school in 2014. Following Basic Training he became an infantryman with his first assignment sending him to 2nd Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, and 82nd Airborne Division. While in his new unit, Joskowitz combative skills grew and they helped him win in at least two past combatives tournaments. His friends and fellow competitors respected him greatly and he was also remembered fondly by past instructors. When speaking about how he would have felt about being honored in the renaming of the competition, Ms. Joskowitz said “He would be beside himself. He would be excited.” Joskowitz spent his entire life enjoying the challenge of a fight, his family and friends will be present to oversee the official opening of the Matthew Joskowitz Cup next year. He is survived by his mother Rachel Joskowitz and younger sister Alyssa Newman.

• Date Taken: 12.20.2019
• Date Posted: 12.21.2019 13:18
• Story ID: 356746
• Location: NC, US