European Gold for Atlantic Jiu Jitsu Member
On Wednesday 20th January, Niamh Rooney of the Atlantic Jiu Jitsu team in Sligo won gold at the IBJJF European Jiu Jitsu Open Championships. This was held at the Pavilhão Multiusos de Odivelas Sports Centre in Lisbon, Portugal.
This was Niamh’s first time to compete at the European Championship. However, this was not her first tournament having taken gold at the Irish National Championship and the Donegal leg of Ireland’s BJJ League.
Niamh’s Coach , Ryan Smyth, commented on how she had taken to the sport like a” duck to water”. He went on to say “our team is enormously proud of Niamh and her achievements in the sport. She has been a great inspiration to many of our students to get out there and get into competition”.
Niamh battled hard against strong opposition on her journey to top the podium. Four matches in all against Europe’s best, submitting 3 out 4. It was an emotional victory for the grappler born in Sligo. Especially after the gruelling training which helped prepare her for this great sporting achievement. “I came to Lisbon with gold on my mind” she said. “I was determined to win from the start and felt quite confident in my abilities. I really enjoyed the experience, it was really nice to compete at such a big event”.
Victorious in the toughest and most highly regarded BJJ tournament in Europe. Niamh said “Huge thanks to all my training partners at Alliance who helped me get prepared during the Christmas holidays, and to all my wonderful family and friends for their support”.
