MIDWAY through July (13-14), Gracie Barra Bradford competed in Wolverhampton at the annual Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Championships and they were crowned best in the world.
The team consisted of four girls and 23 boys, ranging in age from 5-17 years-old, which showcased a brilliant blend of experience and youthful edge.
The prestigious event attracted over 1,500 athletes from over 30 different countries including the USA, Brazil, Iraq, Norway, Poland, Ukraine, and many more.
Led by Professor Craig Tetley and Coach Richard Quirke, the team claimed the top spot overall, earning the title of number one team.
They won a total of 26 gold medals, 12 silver medals, and 9 bronze medals.
Gracie Barra also set a record for the number of submission victories, showcasing the techniques honed during hundreds, and in some cases thousands, of hours of training.
Day one featured the traditional GI competition, and day two was the NO GI competition. Outstanding performances were seen across both days, with several athletes winning gold in both categories:
- Yusuf Aqeel and Mikaeel Mohammed (7 and 8-year-old white belts)
- Kiyan Nagy (11-year-old white belt)
- Umar Idris and Abubakar Idris** (7 and 11-year-old grey belt brothers)
- Mohammed Taha (9-year-old grey belt)
- Zac Toothill (9-year-old yellow belt)
Other standout performers included sisters Amelia and Olivia Roszkowska, aged 13 and 16 respectively, both winning gold in the grey and blue belt categories.
Olivia also added an absolute gold, available for teens willing to fight at any weight. Dominic Burgess, a 16-year-old blue belt, also grabbed double gold in the GI category, including the absolute weight title.
Additional gold medal winners over the weekend included:
- **Kian Mullen** (9-year-old white belt)
- **Pawel Dawidziuk** (9-year-old grey belt)
- **Cade Smith** (11-year-old grey belt)
- **Kayl Walker** (13-year-old grey belt)
- **Harry Brook** (14-year-old grey belt)
- **Hayden Quirke** (14-year-old orange belt)
Following the successful weekend, several students received belt promotions and are now preparing for new challenges in the coming months.
Gracie Barra Bradford has a history of success at the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Junior World Championships in Wolverhampton. This prestigious event is a major stage where the Bradford club has consistently excelled. Over the past few years, they have also achieved impressive results at the British Open, Junior European Championships, and Junior National Championships.
In 2022, the team brought home 20 gold medals. They followed this with 28 gold medals in 2023, and in 2024, they secured another impressive 26 gold medals. These achievements underscore Gracie Barra Bradford's status as one of the best jiu-jitsu clubs in Yorkshire and the UK.
Gracie Barra Bradford's next big event is the Junior European Championships in October where they hope to continue their tradition of excellence.
For information on joining one of the most decorated combat sports teams in the world, contact Sam at info@graciebarrabradford.com.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here