Gabi Pessanha’s Historic Double Gold at IBJJF No Gi Euros Sparks Controversy Over Gender Dynamics in BJJ, Challenging Traditional Norms and Expectations in a Sport Long Dominated by Male Athletes
The 2025 IBJJF No Gi European Championships have become a pivotal moment in the world of Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ), particularly with the historic achievements of Gabi Pessanha. A decorated athlete with a remarkable ten world titles and a legendary streak of 166 consecutive wins, Pessanha has now etched her name in the annals of BJJ history by becoming the first grappler, regardless of gender, to win a Double No Gi Grand Slam. This unprecedented accomplishment, achieved in her very first year of competing in no gi, has ignited discussions about gender dynamics within the sport, challenging long-standing perceptions and expectations.
Pessanha’s double gold at the IBJJF Euros is not just a personal triumph; it represents a significant shift in the landscape of competitive grappling. Traditionally, BJJ has been perceived as a male-dominated arena, with female athletes often overshadowed by their male counterparts. However, Pessanha’s success is emblematic of a broader trend where female athletes are increasingly breaking barriers and redefining what is possible in the sport. Her achievements serve as a powerful reminder that talent and dedication know no gender, and they challenge the narrative that has long relegated women to the sidelines in combat sports.
In the wake of Pessanha’s historic win, the spotlight also shines on other rising stars in the BJJ community, such as Pawel Jaworski and Ana Mayordomo. Both athletes have demonstrated exceptional skill and determination, with Jaworski winning gold at middle-heavyweight and then triumphing in the absolute division, while Mayordomo secured gold at featherweight. Their recent successes, alongside Pessanha’s, highlight a new generation of grapplers who are not only excelling in their respective divisions but are also contributing to a more inclusive and competitive environment in BJJ.
The achievements of these athletes come at a time when the conversation around gender equality in sports is more relevant than ever. As female athletes continue to gain recognition and respect in traditionally male-dominated fields, Pessanha’s accomplishments resonate beyond the mats. They challenge societal norms and expectations, prompting discussions about the representation of women in sports and the need for greater support and visibility for female athletes.
Mayssa Bastos, another prominent figure in the BJJ community, further exemplifies this shift. A ten-time IBJJF world champion, Bastos added to her impressive resume by winning gold at light featherweight during the IBJJF Euros. Her dominance in the sport, coupled with Pessanha’s groundbreaking achievements, underscores the growing prominence of female athletes in BJJ and the potential for future generations to thrive in an environment that increasingly values their contributions.
The 2025 IBJJF No Gi European Championships also showcased the depth of talent across various weight classes, with established grapplers like Brianna Ste-Marie and Julian Espinosa making their mark. Ste-Marie’s victory in the women’s lightweight division and Espinosa’s success in the men’s lightweight category further illustrate the competitive nature of the event and the caliber of athletes participating. The championships served as a platform for both seasoned competitors and emerging talents to demonstrate their skills and resilience.
As the BJJ community reflects on the outcomes of the IBJJF Euros, it is essential to recognize the broader implications of these achievements. Pessanha’s historic double gold not only cements her legacy but also serves as a catalyst for change within the sport. The conversations surrounding gender dynamics, representation, and inclusivity in BJJ are more critical than ever, as athletes like Pessanha, Jaworski, Mayordomo, and Bastos continue to inspire and pave the way for future generations.
The impact of these athletes extends beyond their individual successes; they are part of a larger movement that seeks to redefine the landscape of BJJ and combat sports as a whole. As more female athletes rise to prominence and challenge the status quo, the sport is poised for a transformation that embraces diversity and fosters an environment where all athletes can thrive, regardless of gender.
The 2025 IBJJF No Gi European Championships have not only highlighted the exceptional talent within the BJJ community but have also sparked important conversations about the future of the sport. As Pessanha and her contemporaries continue to break records and challenge norms, the potential for growth and change within BJJ remains limitless. The achievements of these athletes serve as a testament to the power of perseverance, dedication, and the relentless pursuit of excellence in the face of adversity.
Decorated Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) world champ Gabi Pessanha made history at the 2025 IBJJF No Gi European Championships, while established champions like Mayssa Bastos and European rising stars Pawel Jaworski and Ana Mayordomo continued their impressive runs.
Pessanha, a 10-time world champion who once had a legendary streak of 166 straight wins, made history after winning double gold at the 2025 IBJJF Euros. With those two medals, she has now become the first ever grappler — male or female — to win a Double No Gi Grand Slam. The unique accomplishment came as Pessanha has now won double gold at every major no gi event at IBJJF’s calendar.
The feat is even more impressive, considering she accomplished that on her very first year of competing in no gi.
Poland’s Pawel Jaworski and Spain’s Ana Mayordomo have both been on a tear in these last two months.
At the 2025 IBJJF Euros, Mayordomo won gold at featherweight, while Jaworski won at middle-heavyweight (188.5 lbs) then beat bigger men at the absolute division to take double gold.
After adding another major title to their resumes, Jaworski and Mayordomo have both now won gold medals at the ADCC EMEA Trials, the IBJJF No Gi Pans and the IBJJF No Gi Euros in less than two months. In Mayordomo’s case, she also won Submission of the Night at UFC BJJ 3 within that time frame.
At just 21 and 25 years old and still rapidly improving, we could be seeing a lot more from Jaworski and Mayordomo on even bigger stages soon.
10-time IBJJF world champion Mayssa Bastos also continued to add to her Hall of Fame resume in the event, after winning gold at light featherweight. Bastos dominated and scored a whopping 34 points win at IBJJF No Gi Pans last month, making for a great year that also saw her win her sixth world title in the gi.
Other established professional grapplers also shined on the IBJJF No Gi Euros, with reigning IBJJF Crown champion Brianna Ste-Marie taking gold at women’s lightweight, and Julian Espinosa winning the pretty deep men’s lightweight division.
2025 IBJJF No Gi European Championship full results
Men’s Black Belt
ROOSTERWEIGHT (55.50KG)
Gold: Shay Ananda Montague
Silver: Riki Yoshinaga
Bronze: Denis Gerrit Lee Beenen
Bronze: Weslei Kellisson Silva Costa
LIGHT-FEATHERWEIGHT (61.50KG)
Gold: Vinicius Gomes Inacio
Silver: Edwin Ocasio
Bronze: Daniël de Groot
Bronze: Lucas Feitosa Pereira Bosshard
FEATHERWEIGHT (67.50KG)
Gold: Ashley Jordan Williams
Silver: Noah Isiah Gutierrez
Bronze: Alessio Sacchetti
Bronze: Kamil Lukasz Wilk
LIGHTWEIGHT (73.50KG)
Gold: José Julián Espinosa Flores
Silver: Yigit Hanay
Bronze: Gian Paul Grippo
Bronze: Yonathan Ernesto Cárdenas Macias
MIDDLEWEIGHT (79.50KG)
Gold: Tarik Hopstock
Silver: Kieran Robert Kichuk
Bronze: Omer Emanoely
Bronze: Thomas Rees Benjamin Barry
MEDIUM-HEAVYWEIGHT (85.50KG)
Gold: Pawel Kacper Jaworski
Silver: Shane L. Fishman
Bronze: Andre Ygor Pereira de Brito
Bronze: Vilhjálmur Ingi Arnarsson
HEAVYWEIGHT (91.50KG)
Gold: Faris Dean Benlamkadem
Silver: Karol Zbigniew Kania
Bronze: Lucas Dias da Silva
Bronze: Matheus Vetoraci de Menezes
SUPER-HEAVYWEIGHT (97.50KG)
Gold: Jorge Gabriel Pereira da Silva
Silver: Neocicero Barbosa
Bronze: Adam Nabawy
Bronze: Moritz Koellensperger
ULTRA-HEAVYWEIGHT
Gold: Tito Jonathan carle
Silver: Alexander Sak
Bronze: Mikael Eric Peter Dennis Hoffman
Bronze: Vinicius dos Santos Izidoro
OPEN CLASS
Gold: Pawel Kacper Jaworski
Silver: Jean Luca Maltese
Bronze: Clay Landon Mayfield
Bronze: Heikki Lauri Eemil Jussila
Women’s Black Belt
ROOSTERWEIGHT (46.50KG)
Gold: Thaís Loureiro Felipe
Silver: Mariana Cabral Rolszt
LIGHT-FEATHERWEIGHT (51.50KG)
Gold: Mayssa Caldas Pereira Bastos
Silver: Esther Rose Garwood
Bronze: Josefine Beatrice Modig
Bronze: Laura Peretti
FEATHERWEIGHT (56.50KG)
Gold: Ana Mayordomo Garcia
Silver: Liisi Vaht
Bronze: Martina Zola
Bronze: Mona Maree Bailey
LIGHTWEIGHT (61.50KG)
Gold: Brianna Ste-Marie
Silver: Amanda Dean Bruse
Bronze: Amanda Pamela Nicole Schurtz
Bronze: Maria Cláudia Almeida Silva
MIDDLEWEIGHT (66.50KG)
Gold: Injana Greta Goodman
Silver: Julia Maele
Bronze: Nadia Frankland
Bronze: Rosary Mary Walsh
MEDIUM-HEAVYWEIGHT (71.50KG)
Gold: Salla Mari Simola
Silver: Ane N. Svendsen
Bronze: Jessika Maria Torttila
Bronze: Nia Vivienne Blackman
HEAVYWEIGHT (76.50KG)
Gold: Paige Ivette Borras
Silver: Laura Louise Barker
SUPER-HEAVYWEIGHT
Gold: Gabrieli Pessanha de Souza Marinho
OPEN CLASS
Gold: Gabrieli Pessanha de Souza Marinho
Silver: Injana Greta Goodman
Bronze: Julia Maele
Bronze: Nadia Frankland
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