Gabi Pessanha

Gabrieli 'Gabi' Pessanha is a professional Brazilian jiu-jitsu grappler from Brazil.

Early career

At 17 years old, she was the only athlete to win a double grand slam at purple belt in 2018, winning Mundials, Euros, Pans and Brasileiros.[1]

Black belt career

At the age of 18, Pessanha was promoted to black belt in June 2019 by Marcio de Deus.

Pessanha competed at BJJ Bet 2 on August 1, 2021 where she fought multiple-time world champion Tayane Porfirio in the co-main event, narrowly losing by two points.[2] On September 6, 2021, Pessanha won gold in the super-heavyweight division of the IBJJF Pan Championship.[3] She finished the year by winning gold medals in both the super-heavyweight and the absolute division at the IBJJF World Championship on December 12, 2021.[4] Pessanha went 31-5 throughout the course of the year and was awarded "Female Grappler of the Year" at the JitsMagazine 2021 BJJ Awards as a result.[5]

2022 - First double grand slam

Pessanha experienced an unprecedented year of success in 2022, which she started by winning gold medals in the super-heavyweight and absolute divisions at the IBJJF European Championship on February 20, 2022.[6] She then repeated that feat at the IBJJF Pan Championship on April 10, 2022, winning gold in the super-heavyweight and absolute divisions once again.[7] In her third major IBJJF tournament of the year, she won gold in the super-heavyweight and absolute divisions once again at the Campeonato Brasileiro de Jiu-Jitsu. To finish off the year, Pessanha won another pair of gold medals in the super-heavyweight and absolute divisions at the IBJJF World Championship on June 5, 2022 and completed a double grand slam.[8] She finished the year with over 50 wins in competition and not a single loss, earning her "Female Grappler of the Year (Gi)" at the Jitsmagazine 2022 BJJ Awards.[9]

2023 - Second double grand slam

Pessanha started out 2023 in the exact same fashion, winning gold medals in the super-heavyweight and absolute divisions at the IBJJF European Championship on January 29, 2023.[10] She continued her success at the IBJJF Pan Championship on March 26, 2023, by winning both the super-heavyweight and absolute divisions once again.[11] Pessanha then competed at the IBJJF Rio Fall Open on April 1, 2023 where she won five matches in a row and took gold medals in the super-heavyweight and absolute divisions.[12] On May 7, 2023, Pessanha returned to the Campeonato Brasileiro de Jiu-Jitsu and once again won both the super-heavyweight and absolute divisions at the event.[13] Pessanha returned to the IBJJF World Championship 2023 on June 3 and 4, winning both the super-heavyweight and the absolute division once again.[14]

Pessanha competed in the IBJJF Vitoria Open 2023 on August 5, 2023 and won gold medals in both the super-heavyweight and absolute divisions.[15] She then competed at the IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Con International on September 1, 2023 and won gold medals in both the super-heavyweight and absolute divisions.[16]

Pessanha then competed in a women's heavyweight grand prix at BJJ Stars 11 on September 9, 2023.[17] She defeated three opponents on the same night and won the title.[18] She returned to IBJJF competition at the IBJJF Curitiba Spring Open 2023 on October 8, 2023, winning gold medals in the super-heavyweight and absolute division.[19]

Pessanha won a gold medal in the heavyweight division of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2023 on November 10, 2023.[20]

Pessanha competed in the women's super-heavyweight division of The Crown alongside Melissa Stricker, Tayane Porfírio, and Amy Campo on November 19, 2023.[21] She beat both opponents and won the division.[22]

Pessanha won "Female Grappler of the Year (Gi)" at the JitsMagazine BJJ Awards 2023.[23]

2024 - Third double grand slam

Pessanha's coach Marcio de Deus announced that she would be making her no gi debut at some point during 2024.[24]

Pessanha started the competitive year by winning gold medals in both the super-heavyweight and the absolute divisions at the IBJJF Rio Summer Open on January 14, 2024.[25] She then won gold medals in both the super-heavyweight and absolute divisions of the IBJJF European Championship on January 27, 2024.[26] She also won gold medals in both the super-heavyweight and absolute divisions of the IBJJF Pan Championship 2024 on March 24, 2024.[27]

Pessanha won gold medals in both the super-heavyweight and absolute divisions of the IBJJF World Championship 2024 on June 1, 2024.[28] She then won both the super-heavyweight and absolute divisions at the IBJJF Sao Paulo Open on September 15, 2024.[29] Pessanha also won the super-heavyweight and absolute divisions at the IBJJF Rio Spring Open 2024 on October 19, 2024. [30]

Pessanha then competed in the super-heavyweight division at the second edition of The Crown on November 17, 2024.[31] She defeated Mayara Custódio, Tamiris Silva, and Melissa Cueto to win the title for the second time. [32]

Pessanha then made her no gi debut at the IBJJF No Gi World Championship 2024.[33] she won gold medals in the super-heavyweight and absolute divisions.[34]

References

  1. ^ Smith, Chase (2018-07-10). "Early Look: The UAEJJF 2018 Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Tokyo". FloGrappling.
  2. ^ "BJJ Bet 2 Full Results And Review". Jitsmagazine. 3 August 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  3. ^ "IBJJF Pan-Ams 2021 Full Results And Review". Jitsmagazine. 9 September 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  4. ^ "IBJJF World Championships 2021 Full Results And Review". JitsMagazine. 13 December 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  5. ^ "The JitsMagazine 2021 BJJ Awards". JitsMagazine. 2 January 2022. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  6. ^ "IBJJF European Championships 2022 Full Results And Review". Jitsmagazine. 21 February 2022. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  7. ^ "IBJJF Pan Championship 2022 Full Results And Review". Jitsmagazine. 12 April 2022. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  8. ^ "IBJJF World Championships 2022 Full Results And Review". Jitsmagazine. 7 June 2022. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  9. ^ "The JitsMagazine 2022 BJJ Awards". JitsMagazine. January 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  10. ^ "IBJJF European Championship 2023 Full Results And Review". Jitsmagazine. 30 January 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  11. ^ "IBJJF Pan Championship 2023 Full Results And Review". Jitsmagazine. 27 March 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  12. ^ "Exciting Results All Round At IBJJF Rio Fall Open 2023". JitsMagazine. 5 April 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  13. ^ "IBJJF Brazilian National Championship 2023 Full Results And Review". JitsMagazine. 8 May 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  14. ^ "IBJJF World Championship 2023 Full Results And Review". JitsMagazine. 5 June 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  15. ^ "Mica Galvao Returns To IBJJF Among Other Top Grapplers At Vitoria Open 2023". Jitsmagazine. 7 August 2023. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  16. ^ "IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Con International 2023 Full Results And Review". Jitsmagazine. 2 September 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  17. ^ Burne, Kathrine (12 August 2023). "Full Lineup Confirmed For BJJ Stars 11". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  18. ^ "BJJ Stars 11 Full Results And Review". Jitsmagazine. 11 September 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  19. ^ "IBJJF Curitiba Spring Open 2023 Attracts Top Brazilian Talent". Jitsmagazine. 11 October 2023. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  20. ^ "Abu Dhabi World Pro 2023 Full Results And Review". Jitsmagazine. 11 November 2023. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  21. ^ Phillips, Sabrina (10 October 2023). "Incredible Women's Openweight Division Announced By IBJJF For The Crown". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  22. ^ "IBJJF: The Crown Full Results And Review". Jitsmagazine. 20 November 2023. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
  23. ^ "The JitsMagazine 2023 BJJ Awards". Jitsmagazine. 2 January 2024. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  24. ^ Burne, Kathrine (21 December 2023). "Gabrieli Pessanha Reportedly Preparing For No Gi Matches In 2024". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  25. ^ "Tons Of Action In Every Division At IBJJF Rio Summer Open 2024". Jitsmagazine. 17 January 2024. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  26. ^ "IBJJF European Championship 2024 Full Results And Review". Jitsmagazine. 28 January 2024. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  27. ^ "IBJJF Pan Championship 2024 Full Results And Review". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  28. ^ "IBJJF World Championship 2024 Full Results And Review". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  29. ^ "Incredible Action As Money Is On The Line At IBJJF Sao Paulo Pro Open 2024". Jits Magazine. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  30. ^ "IBJJF Brings Action Around The World In Fort Lauderdale And Rio Spring Opens 2024". Jits Magazine. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  31. ^ Phillips, Sabrina. "Women's Super-Heavyweight Division Lineup Confirmed For IBJJF: The Crown 2024". Jits Magazine. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  32. ^ "IBJJF: The Crown 2024 Live Results, Play-by-play, Analysis, Highlights, More". Jits Magazine. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
  33. ^ Phillips, Sabrina. "Gabrieli Pessanha Set To Make No Gi Debut At IBJJF No Gi World Championship 2024". Jits Magazine. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  34. ^ "IBJJF No Gi World Championship 2024 Full Results And Highlights". Jits Magazine. Retrieved 21 December 2024.