12-Year-Old Grappling Prodigy Taya Jones Continues to Shine on the UK and International BJJ Scene
Rising Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu talent Taya Jones, a 12-year-old yellow and white belt, is turning heads in the martial arts world with her relentless dedication, technical skill, and recent competition successes throughout the start of her 2025 season.
Taya, who trains almost daily out of Gracie Barra Frome, was recently named a Gracie Barra UK ambassador athlete for 2025—a title reserved for the most promising young athletes in the organisation.
This spring, Taya took silver at the IBJJF Rome Open, narrowly missing gold in a highly competitive final against an experienced Brazilian opponent. The match was a big step up, as Taya only recently moved to her new belt division (yellow), and underscored Taya's ability to perform on the international stage against elite competition. This follows on from her maiden European gold in October 2024 in Lisbon, Portugal.
Her 2025 competition season has also featured standout performances at invitation-only events such as Tanto, held in Weston-super-Mare, and most recently a dominant victory at ENYO, the UK's premier all-female grappling showcase (saturday 7th June). These appearances have cemented her reputation as one of the UK's most promising young grapplers. With a star studded audience including Actor & Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitor Tom Hardy, who signed Taya's gold medal.
Now, with her eyes set firmly on the World Championships in Abu Dhabi this November, Taya is intensifying her training and competition schedule. In pursuit of this goal, she has launched a GoFundMe campaign to support the cost of travel & accommodation for this most prestigious event.
"Taya trains with unmatched dedication — almost every day of the week — and has shown the mindset and talent to compete at the very highest levels," says her coach Callum Swift at Gracie Barra Frome. "She represents the future of Gracie Barra & Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the UK, and I wager that she will become a future black belt world champion."
Supporters and fans can follow Taya's journey via her official channels and contribute to her GoFundMe here: www.instagram.com/tayaj_bjj_tagb
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