A ROSS High School pupil who only took up Brazilan Jiu Jitsu 18 months ago is celebrating being crowned European champion.
Romey Boyle took up the sport while she was at St Martin’s Primary School in Tranent.
Now, she is training multiple times a week and has travelled across Great Britain and to the Republic of Ireland to compete.
Proud dad Shaun said that the sport was about much more than just the physical side.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a form of martial art which focuses on grappling, ground fighting, and submission holds.
Shaun told Courier Sport: “I think she enjoys the physical aspect but I think it is about thinking.
“You need to really use your brain and be five steps ahead of your move.
“That makes her quite good at it.”
Twelve-year-old Romey, who won a future star award at Ross High School, has been training with Promethean Mixed Martial Arts Club in Macmerry.
Working alongside coach Zander Macdonald-Williamson, she has already moved up to a grey belt.
Training five times a week, the lack of other girls her age competing in the sport often means she has to travel across the country and to fight opponents with more experience.
Despite her inexperience, the youngster has already been crowned the 2022 ADCC Kids Open champion and IBJJF Kids European champion.
Shaun and wife Louise have travelled across the country to cheer on Romey, who will go into S2 after the summer holidays.
He said: “Myself and my wife are proud.
“She is dedicated.
“I get nervous but not as bad as my wife.
“I have taken my son, Shaun, to boxing for years so I am a wee bit more used to it.
“But I still get nervous, I would be lying if I said I did not.”
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Competitions take place all over the world, with the sport, which is not in the Olympics, popular in Brazil and the USA.
Shaun added: “She could go far with it.”
Her coach echoed the feelings of pride and praised the youngster.
He said: “Given the amount of time she has done it in, she has done a lot. It is rare to get someone who is so dedicated at that age.
“Normally, they are getting distracted by their phone and the rest of it but she makes every training session without fail, unless she is ill.”
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