A rising Jiu-Jitsu star, Shearwater Class of 2016 alumni Sula Loewenthal recently won the ADCC Asia & Oceania trials in Bangkok, in a stunning display of skill and determination, earning her a coveted spot in the under 65kg category at the ADCC World Championships in Las Vegas. The ADCC, or Abu Dhabi Combat Club, is the pinnacle event in the grappling world, often referred to as the Olympics of Jiu-Jitsu. This year, the championships are set to be held on 17 August, with an audience of approximately 14,000 spectators.

Sula’s journey to this achievement has been nothing short of remarkable. With only seven years of training and currently holding a brown belt, her success at this level is extraordinary. She will be competing against some of the most seasoned athletes in the sport, including competitors like Bia Mesquita, who have been at the black belt level for many years.

Sula’s coach praised her performance, saying, “Sula absolutely smashed it at the ADCC trials. With an impressive 75 per cent submission rate, she dominated every match to earn a well-deserved spot at the ADCC Worlds in Las Vegas.

“In the finals, she hit a beautiful sweep from closed guard to mount and finished the fight with a Mir lock from closed guard against the very talented multiple world and pan champion Nadia Frankland. Sula’s unshakable commitment to training, even while juggling full-time teaching across multiple schools in London, paid off. This is just the beginning, and we have every confidence that she’ll shock the world in Las Vegas.”

Sula has been intensively training in Lisbon for the past month to prepare for the ADCC World Championships. She is the number 12 seed in her weight division, representing the Asia division. This monumental achievement not only highlights her dedication but also sets the stage for what promises to be an exciting competition in Las Vegas.

Stay tuned as Sula Loewenthal heads to Vegas in two weeks to compete in the ADCC World Championships, where she aims to make a significant impact on the global stage. A huge congratulations to Sula from all at Shearwater and best wishes for her upcoming competition.

Gabrielle Karkkainen
PDHPE Teacher