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Grand Rapids 9-year-old earns No. 1 world ranking for Brazilian jiu-jitsu

Reagan Green first walked into a jiu-jitsu school in 2018. Since then, she's competed in 60 tournaments in 11 states, collecting 45 gold medals and earning a No. 1 world ranking for her age class.
Reagan Green Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Posted at 6:02 PM, Mar 15, 2023
and last updated 2023-03-16 12:13:14-04

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — When you were 9 years old, what were you doing? Picking up a basketball for the first time? Learning your times tables?

How about traveling across the country, capturing first-place finishes in Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitions?

Well, that's what third grader Reagan Green has done. Again, she's 9 years old.

Grand Rapids 9-year-old earns No. 1 world ranking for Brazilian jiu-jitsu

Green first entered a jiu-jitsu studio in Grand Rapids in March 2018, when she was just 4 years old.

She said she was "so nervous" at first, but clearly, something clicked.

"I just liked it, so I kept on doing it," she told FOX 17.

Now, she's traveled to and competed in 60 tournaments in 11 states, for a total of 454 matches, picking up 45 gold medals along the way.

Reagan Green Brazilian jiu-jitsu

Last weekend, her success culminated by earning the title of No. 1 in the world in Brazilian jiu-jitsu for 8- and 9-year-olds, both boys and girls.

When asked how she reacted to that label, along with the rest of her accomplishments, Green put it simply: "Screaming happy!"

Green has already accomplished so much at such a young age, but she doesn't plan on slowing down any time soon.

"She has her sights set on becoming No. 1 in the 'Under-18' divisions for Grappling Industries, who hosts a tournament here in Grand Rapids, March 25 at DeVos Place. She is also seeking to move up the competitive ladder to compete in the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) and ADCC No-GI events. Both are considered the highest level a Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner can advance to," her dad, Jeff, said in a press release.

If you want to follow Green's journey on social media, her Instagram is @thedangerousdoe.

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