By Michael Sears 

Twenty-two-year-old Amal Amjahid of CENS Academy in Belgium has been the most dominant female brown belt in Europe for two years running. 

The Brussels native cruised through her weight and the open class at the IBJJF 2018 European Championships in Lisbon, Portugal, this month, winning double gold at the event for a second straight year. Amjahid was flawless on the day, submitting five out of seven opponents and doing so without conceding a single point against her. 

After tapping both of her opponents in her weight category, the petite featherweight (under 129 pounds) took on athletes of all sizes in the open class. A choke from the back and two armlocks propelled Amjahid into the semifinals, against middleweight Hannah Katharina Rauch (Gracie Humaita). A quick hook sweep put Amjahid up 2-0, and a legdrag on the inverted Rauch made it 5-0. Finally, a back take put Amjahid ahead with a final score of 9-0 to advance to the open class finals. 

Amal Amjahid (top) takes on Ane Svendsen in the brown belt open class finals. Photo: Michael Sears

Waiting for Amjahid in the final was medium-heavyweight champion Ane Svendsen (GFT). An early near pass by Svendsen gave up the only advantage scored against Amjahid in the tournament. After recomposing and playing spider guard for several minutes, Amjahid hit a brilliant sit-up to back roll sweep from de la Riva guard to get the winning score. 

Amjahid's vibrant cheering section erupted after the sweep, and she rode out the final seconds to secure the double gold by a score of 2-0. 

Watch: Amal Amjahid vs. Ane Svendsen - 2018 European Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship

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“My participation in the the absolute category allows me to live the concept of jiu-jitsu, which is to prove that the weakest physically can beat the strongest by art and technique,” she said.

“It allows me to test my technique against the superior strength of my opponents. Winning an absolute allows me to evaluate the technical level that I’ve achieved and gives me personal satisfaction in my evolution.” 

With the first major competition of the year out of the way, Amjahid has set her sights on the IBJJF Worlds and UAEJJF Abu Dhabi World Pro in 2018.

Last year at Worlds she fell short by an advantage in the final to current black belt Amanda Monteiro (GFT) and should be a heavy favorite to reach the top of the podium in Long Beach, CA, in June.