BYRON Bay High School student Millie McCourt has just returned from the US after winning the 16 years Feather Weight division at the Brazilian Jiujitsu (BJJ) World Championship held in California.
“When I first started training I was 12 years old and had the dream of becoming the IBJJF Champion of the World,” said Millie, who beat competitors from all over the world.
“I worked so hard and made so many sacrifices to achieve this goal, standing there with the referee holding my arm in the air was the most amazing feeling I have ever had.”
Her coach Damien Almieda from Extreme MMA in Byron Bay said, “This is an amazing achievement considering BJJ is the fastest growing sport in the world today.”
“No one has represented Australia at this level before, and bringing home the gold is just unbelievable.
“I believe Millies’s story can inspire and motivate other young girls, especially in the Byron shire.
Mr Amieda said Millie’s training for this event started 12 months ago, “and it was a long and hard path of training at least 2 times a day 5 to 6 days a week.
“Training includes, running, cross fit, drills, BJJ sparring and grappling and working on specific techniques she would use to win this event.
Millie is no stranger on the winner’s podium. At the recent South Australian Brazilian Jiujitsu Championships, Millie won a double for both the Women’s Juvenile 16-18years and Open Women’s section.
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