Serena Gabrielli

Serena Gabrielli was born on March 16, 1987, in Rome, Italy, and grew up in the suburban neighborhood of Primavalle. Her martial arts journey began at 18 when she enrolled in a ju-jutsu class near her home — a decision that laid the foundation for a distinguished grappling career. She earned her ju-jutsu black belt by 22, demonstrating the technical aptitude and dedication that would later define her BJJ trajectory.

That black belt promotion proved to be a pivotal moment in more ways than one. It was on that occasion that she was introduced to BJJ instructor Andrea Verdemare — a meeting that redirected her athletic path toward Brazilian jiu-jitsu. With a solid grappling base already built through years of ju-jutsu training, Gabrielli was well-positioned to begin her BJJ career from the white belt, bringing genuine technical substance to the journey ahead.

Early Development Under Federico Tisi

Serena Gabrielli's growth as a BJJ practitioner was shaped by two distinct coaching relationships, each essential at its respective stage of her career. Federico Tisi served as her first official BJJ coach, providing the technical grounding and competitive orientation that defined her white belt development. His mentorship — confirmed by BJJ Heroes — established the foundational framework from which Gabrielli would build her competitive identity.

Long-Term Guidance and Black Belt Promotion Under Andrea Verdemare

Andrea Verdemare assumed the role of her primary long-term coach, guiding Gabrielli through the colored belt ranks and steering her sustained competitive development. Under his direction, she accumulated a consistent record of podium appearances at major IBJJF events, including European Open titles and World Championship finishes at purple and brown belt. On July 12, 2015, Verdemare awarded Gabrielli her black belt — a promotion that followed directly from her IBJJF World Championship victory at brown belt, one of the most meaningful ways a practitioner can earn that distinction.

Note: The precise transition point between Tisi's coaching role and Verdemare's primary coaching responsibilities has not been fully documented in available sources. Readers seeking a complete account of this timeline are encouraged to consult verified biographical sources.

Colored Belt Competition Record

Gabrielli's colored belt career was a steady accumulation of podium performances across major IBJJF events. At purple belt, she claimed gold at the IBJJF London International Open in 2013 and the IBJJF Rome International Open in 2014, while reaching the final of the IBJJF European Open in 2012. At brown belt, her performances escalated further — she won the IBJJF European Open, the IBJJF London Winter International Open, and the IBJJF Rome International Open in 2015, before capping that belt level with a World Championship title that earned her the black belt promotion the same year.

A Pioneering Role in Italian BJJ

Serena Gabrielli holds a distinctive place in the history of Italian BJJ as the country's first high-level female competitor in the women's division. This is not a ceremonial distinction — it reflects the reality that Gabrielli competed and performed at the highest levels of international BJJ during a period when women's competitive infrastructure in Italy was still taking shape. Her results helped demonstrate what was achievable for female practitioners from the country, raising the ceiling for those who followed.

Black Belt Competitive Record

Competing in the Rooster weight division (Peso Galo — up to 48.5 kg / 127 lbs), Gabrielli established herself as a consistent force on the international podium after her black belt promotion. She claimed back-to-back IBJJF European Open gold medals in 2017 and 2018, and reached the podium at the IBJJF World Championship at black belt in both 2016 and 2021. Her record at the UAEJJF Abu Dhabi World Pro was equally sustained, with third-place finishes in 2018, 2019, and 2021 — results that carry significant weight at one of the sport's most prestigious open events.

The arc of her competitive career — with podium appearances documented from 2012 through at least 2021 — speaks to a rare combination of longevity, consistency, and adaptability. Competing across nearly a decade at elite level, through multiple belt transitions and against evolving international fields, Gabrielli's record reflects the sustained commitment of a practitioner who treated each stage of development as preparation for the next.

Beyond her competitive achievements, Serena Gabrielli contributes to the growth of Brazilian jiu-jitsu in Italy through her role as an instructor at the Flo Jiu-Jitsu Academy (also referenced as Flow JJ). In this capacity, she works directly with developing practitioners, passing on the technical knowledge and competitive experience accumulated across her career.

Her instructional role carries particular weight given her status as a trailblazer for Italian female competitors. By remaining active on the coaching side of the sport, Gabrielli shapes the environment for the next generation of women pursuing BJJ in Italy — an impact that extends well beyond her own competitive results. The combination of an elite competition record and a meaningful teaching presence positions her as both a high-level athlete and a central figure in the Italian BJJ community's ongoing development.