ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Sarah Souza, 14, is a local Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner who is a rising star in the national teen orange belt division. A back-to-back national champion, Souza also recently won the Pan-American championships, which is the largest Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tournament held in the Americas.
Training in the sport has changes Souza’s life in countless ways. She grew up in a household where she was physically and mentally abused, so Souza and her mother sought out a self defense class.
After joining Coyote Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy, Sarah and her mother Gabby developed a relationship with Daniel Souza, the owner and head professor. Gabby and Daniel are now married and Daniel has become an important father figure in Sarah’s life.
“I had a lot of anger and when I joined jiu jitsu it went away immediately,” she said.
“You know, its amazing to see how in a short period of time she has grown so much in the sport, and go from being an average kid to start jiu jitstu, to concurring national titles and a world championship title,” he said.
While her competition career is just getting started, Sarah envisions a bright future for herself in the sport. She has seen how much jiu jitsu has impacted her life for the better and hopes to one day pass on her knowledge to future generations as a professor.
