Today, we had the pleasure of speaking with the incredible Annabella Walker, a young jiu-jitsu prodigy who is making waves on the international scene. At just 13 years old, she has already accumulated significant titles, including SJJIF World Champion and ADCC Champion. Annabella shared her journey in the sport with us, from the challenges of balancing school and training to the satisfaction of achieving victories and the importance of the jiu-jitsu community in her life. Check out the details in the interview below:
1. How did you discover jiu-jitsu, and how long have you been training?
Hi, nice to meet you! My name is Annabella Walker, and I train at LEOS Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Japan. I started jiu-jitsu when I was 8 years old, back in elementary school. Now, at 13, I’ve been training for four years. Before jiu-jitsu, I tried out a lot of different activities, but it came down to dance or jiu-jitsu. I realized I enjoyed jiu-jitsu more, so I decided to stick with it.
2. What is your training routine like?
I train five days a week. On weekdays, I get to the gym around 5 p.m. for some light training, followed by the kids’ class from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. After that, I join the adult class at 7 p.m., and we do sparring from 8 p.m. until around 9:30 p.m. On Saturdays, I spar from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. as we usually have guests visiting the gym, which makes for great competition. Sundays are either tournament days or rest days, depending on my schedule.
3. What are the main challenges in the sport and in your athletic career?
One of the biggest challenges is balancing school, training, and competitions. It takes a lot of discipline to manage everything. Another challenge is the constant pursuit of improvement—there’s always a new technique to learn or a way to get stronger, both mentally and physically.
4. What benefits has jiu-jitsu brought to your life?
Jiu-jitsu has taught me discipline, patience, and how to handle both wins and losses. It has boosted my confidence and made me stronger mentally and physically. Jiu-jitsu has also connected me with an incredible community that encourages and inspires me. It’s taught me to push through challenges, which has helped me both on and off the mats.
5. What is your favorite jiu jitsu style, and what is your preferred submission?
I really enjoy using the De La Riva guard system, but I’ve been going to seminars to explore new styles and broaden my game. Lately, I’ve been getting a lot of finishes with Kimuras and straight armbars from the triangle position.
6. What are your main titles?
I’ve earned a few significant titles, such as:
- SJJIF World Champion 🥇🥇
- 3x JBJJF All Japan Champion 🥇🥇🥇
- 3x ASJJF Asian Open Champion 🥇🥇🥇
- ADCC Champion 🥇🥇
- Currently ranked #1 yellow belt in Asia and Japan.
7. Who are your biggest inspirations in the sport?
I recently attended a seminar with Mayssa Bastos and Lauren Sognefest, and my goal is to one day be on their jiu jitsu level. I also had a private class with Lauren since we use similar styles, and she helped me work on some of my jiu jitsu weaknesses. They are both huge inspirations to me, in terms of technique and mindset.
8. Leave a motivational message for those who want to start jiu-jitsu or compete.
“Jiu-jitsu is an amazing journey that will challenge you physically and mentally, but it’s worth every second. Don’t be afraid to fail—failure is part of the process of getting better. Keep showing up, train hard, and remember that consistency is key. You’ll be surprised by what you can achieve if you keep pushing forward!”
Annabella Walker is a dedicated young athlete with focus, determination, and an impressive level of maturity for her age. Without a doubt, she’s a name we’ll be hearing more about in the international jiu-jitsu scene!
