New Mexico teen claims third national jiu-jitsu title

An Albuquerque teenager has pulled off a rare hat trick in martial arts.

Sarah Souza, a 15-year-old blue belt who trains at Carlson Gracie Coyote Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Albuquerque, claimed her third consecutive national title at the American National IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2025, which took place in Las Vegas, Nevada at the end of June.

Sarah, who competed in the juvenile divisions, often faced older, heavier opponents. She still dominated her bracket, adding to a growing list of accomplishments that includes three gi national titles, plus no-gi and Pan-Am Championship titles.

A “gi” refers to a traditional martial arts uniform.

“(Sarah) weighs 154 pounds, and she’s fighting girls who are 180-190,” said Daniel Souza, Sarah’s coach and stepfather.

This year marked another significant step in Souza’s competitive journey. After moving up to the juvenile classes, which are typically reserved for 16- and 17-year-olds — she still came out on top. In local tournaments, Daniel said, Sarah often takes on heavier adult competitors.

But for Sarah, the challenge isn’t new and the pressure, she said, comes only from herself.

“No, not from other people, only just myself,” she said. “I just relax my mind, stay focused on what’s more important; like me fighting (and) doing my best on the mat.”

Gabriela Souza, Sarah’s mother, also competed at the IBJJF nationals, taking home a silver medal in the national masters division.

“I am personally very proud of my mom,” Sarah said. “She never liked competing at all … since she has done her huge weight loss, she feels more confident in herself and her jiu-jitsu. So, I’m glad and proud of my mom for being on the mats competing.”

Daniel, a sixth-degree black belt and the highest-ranked jiu-jitsu practitioner in New Mexico, found himself coaching both family members simultaneously when Gabriela and Sarah were wrestling on neighboring mats.

“They were side to side on the mat, so I was in the middle trying to coach both sides,” he said. “I’m proud to see my family involved in this sport and grow and, more importantly, build confidence.”

In addition to her rigorous training — two hours a day, multiple times a week — Sarah has also stepped into a leadership role at the gym, teaching young students ages 3 to 6 several times each week.

Despite Sarah’s national accolades, Daniel says she remains true to herself.

“She’s very humble and has great sportsmanship,” he said. “She doesn’t think it’s a big deal what she has accomplished. She doesn’t have an idea yet how she’s changing history with those victories.”

While all three titles are meaningful, Daniel said it’s her first win, in 2023, that carries the most emotional weight.

“I think the first one had the most impact because she was trying to get there the past five times,” he said. “The previous times, she got third place, second place, but never really reached first place. When she did it in 2023, her first title, I think it opened her eyes and her mind (to the idea that) she’s capable … and she’s on the same level as everyone else.”

Being homeschooled allows Sarah to keep up with her studies while traveling to high-level tournaments across the country. She’s now preparing for a tournament in Orlando, followed by Jiu-Jitsu Con International in Las Vegas this August and the Pan American No-Gi Championship in New York in October.