ALTON – Alton Elite Jiu-Jitsu is officially open in Alton, and owner Adam Marburger couldn’t be more excited.
“It’s a blessing,” he said. “There’s been so much work by so many different people. It’s taken several months, a couple setbacks, but we came together as a team. It’s just nice to be done. I’m very grateful.”
On Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, community members gathered at 2716 Corner Court in Alton for a grand opening celebration complete with food, drinks, music and giveaways. Marburger said he wanted to “throw a party” to show off the new space and reintroduce the community to Alton Elite.
He noted that the academy, which offers jiu-jitsu, boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, yoga and more, is a great space for anyone looking to try martial arts. He emphasized that it’s a welcoming environment.
“This is a safe, family-friendly atmosphere, a one-size-fits-all academy,” he said. “If you want to try martial arts, this is your home.”
Jacquelin Koehne, the general manager and youth instructor, echoed Marburger. She added that Alton Elite hopes to give back to the community by empowering its students and partnering with local nonprofits.
“Once we’ve got classes rolling, it’s just going to be so nice. We have so many plans for working with the community,” she said. “We’re just trying to make as much of an impact as we can.”
On Nov. 14, community members enjoyed the grand opening celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony. Mayor David Goins expressed his well wishes for the business.
“I always love to see a dream come into reality,” he said. “Somebody sat there and thought about doing this, put in the work, and here we are today. How exciting is that?”
To learn more about Alton Elite Jiu-Jitsu, including how to sign up for classes, visit their official website at AltonElite.com or their official Facebook page.
