August 28th, 2024Clunes girl takes silver in world jiu-jitsu champs, gold in Nationals
A young Clunes girl has won silver in a major international jiu-jitsu championship event held in Florida, USA… and then chased it up by taking gold in the Australian Nationals.
In American last month 11-year-old Leiarnna Ferguson bettered many talented and bigger competitors in her division to come away from the 2024 International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation Pan Kids’ competition with the silver medal.
Leiarnna’s division is the yellow-belt girls’ division for her weight range, and flying to the US to compete was an amazing life experience for the young local who was accompanied by her dad Jay Ferguson and two younger brothers.
“She’s very happy with her result,” Jay says following their return home.
“She was up against some really tough competition, all bigger than her too. She did really, really well.”
The family even worked in a trip to Disneyland and spent some enjoyable hours poolside as well with Leiarnna also participating in valuable training opportunities during the almost three weeks they spent in the US.
Getting such an excellent outcome was the result of countless hours of hard work, practice and dedication and followed Leiarnna’s becoming Victorian State Champion in her newly promoted division of yellow belt back in May.
The trip to compete at international level was generously supported by many in the community who pitched in to the family’s online GoFundMe fundraiser to help make the dream opportunity a reality.
Back on home soil, a couple of weeks ago, Leiarnna competed in the Nationals held at the Sports and Aquatic Centre in Melbourne and won gold in her division – again against heavier and larger competitors.
“I feel really proud about that. I really enjoyed it,” says Leiarnna who also describes how she experienced nerves before facing the international competition in Florida, but how they faded away once she stepped up to the mat.
The Creswick Primary School grade six house captain now has her sights set on the regional Pan Pacific Kids competition in October.
Words & Image: Eve Lamb
