Anna Rodrigues

Anna Rodrigues was born on December 14, 1998, in Niteroi, Brazil. She spent her early childhood in the northern state of Ceará, raised by her grandmother until the age of four. Upon returning to her parents, Anna grew up in Rio das Pedras, a favela located in Rio de Janeiro. At age 13, she attended her first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class under coach Márcio Rodrigues, quickly discovering a passion for the sport and dedicating herself fully to training.

Early Training and Development

At 15, Anna relocated to São Paulo to train at the prestigious Guigo JJ Academy under Master Luiz Guilherme, receiving a full scholarship. Her rapid progression and competitive success soon led her to represent Atos internationally, further refining her skills and competitive mindset.

Black Belt Promotion and Team Transitions

In September 2019, Anna earned her black belt from Isaque Bahiense while training at Alliance São Paulo. In 2023, she transitioned from Alliance to Dream Art, relocating to Houston, Texas, to join the team's new headquarters and continue her pursuit of excellence at the highest levels of competition.

Anna Rodrigues is renowned for her dynamic guard play, characterized by precise technique and strategic versatility. Her ability to seamlessly transition between guard variations and execute sweeps and submissions has consistently placed her among the elite competitors in her division. In 2023, Anna successfully moved up from the light-featherweight to the featherweight division, reaching the finals at the 2023 IBJJF World Championship. Her consistent podium placements at major international tournaments, including IBJJF and AJP events, underscore her technical proficiency and tactical acumen, solidifying her status as one of the top female grapplers of her generation.

Anna secured her spot at the prestigious 2024 ADCC World Championship by winning the South American Trials in the under 55kg division. This achievement reflects her dedicated preparation and adaptability in elite-level no-gi competition, marking a significant milestone in her competitive career and highlighting her readiness to compete against the world's best submission grapplers.

Beyond her competitive accomplishments, Anna Rodrigues actively champions women's participation in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu worldwide. She regularly conducts women-only seminars in the United States and internationally, aiming to empower and inspire female athletes. Additionally, Anna plays a pivotal role in coaching and mentoring female competitors through the Dream Art Project, significantly contributing to the growth, visibility, and development of women's jiu-jitsu globally.