Euros Road To Gold: 17-Year-Old Future Star Gabi Pessanha
Euros Road To Gold: 17-Year-Old Future Star Gabi Pessanha
A 17-year-old from the notorious ‘City of God’ favela in Rio de Janeiro cruised to a gold medal at the 2018 Euros.
A 17-year-old purple belt from the notorious "City of God" favela in Rio de Janeiro cruised to a gold medal in the adult female super-heavyweight division at the IBJJF 2018 European Championships in Lisbon, Portugal, on Thursday.
Gabrieli Pessanha was the juvenile 2 blue belt world champion (weight and absolute) in 2017 and took double gold at the 2017 Euros in the same category. The Euros are her first competition as an adult purple belt.
Pessanha vs Kendall Reusing. Photo: Nico Ball
Pessanha beat 2017 purple belt world champ Kendall Reusing of Gracie Barra in the opening round via advantages (0-0, 2-0 adv.).
In the semifinal, Pessanha took out Joanna Gabryluk via points (4-2, 2-0 adv.) and then destroyed Eva Finnegan-Rosales in the final with an armbar in under five minutes after amassing a 38-0 lead.
Watch her matches below:
Gabrieli Pessanha vs. Kendall Reusing