Libby Competing in the Pans Kids BJJ Championships in California

With the Stealth BJJ adults and masters recently competing at the European Championships. It is now time for a younger member of Stealth BJJ to represent the team on the world stage. On the 19th of February Libby Genge, will be taking to the mats at the Pan Kids IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship in California. At only 13 years old Libby has already spent 6 years training BJJ. In addition to this Libby also trains in Judo. As Libby says “ it’s something special that I can bring to competitions that most kids don’t do.”

Libby is one very determined teenager. Setting herself some strong goals, that she has already proved she can achieve. By being picked as part of the UK BJJ Youth Elite Squad at the Pan Kids Championship. Her goal for 10 years time is to be a brown/black belt and multiple time world champion in BJJ and to be a black belt in Judo. With this girl’s focus I’m sure this will happen.

Despite finding it hard at times to juggle school, training, competitions and family life. Libby is still
in the top sets for all of subjects at school. With some of her favourite academic subjects being PE and food technology. It sounds like she was destined to train BJJ. As we all love training and eating.

Being a teenager, Libby understands that BJJ competition and training is about enjoyment. “Though I’m an elite BJJ player I never seem to feel pressured to perform well or to always train and on the odd occasion that I do start to feel pressured, tired or have a lack of motivation I take a day out of training and enjoy being a normal 13 year old girl.”

As teenage girl in what is currently a predominately male sport Libby has a really positive outlook. “The advice I’d give to a girl taking up combat sports would be to not let life get in the way and to take no notice of the look of shock that crosses people’s faces when you tell them what you do or the stupid comments they make afterwards.”

It is also fortunate that she has some strong female role models around her. This also includes her mum, who has just started training at Stealth BJJ. With Libby’s favourite BJJ player being multiple time world champion Yasmine Wilson. As she loves her determination, great technique and fearlessness. It is easy to see even though Libby is a young competitor. She has a great focus and a lot of support.

We all know at Stealth BJJ that Libby will represent the club awesomely on and off the mats.