Brazilian jiu-jitsu kids become NSW state champions

Zen Robinson 12, from Burnside, Tulley Sandberg 10, his sister Maya Sandberg 12, from Nambour and Zoe Mariani 9 from Mapleton with Vermelho Head Instructor Dean Liebenberg.

A team of kids from the Vermelho BJJ (Brazilian jiu-jitsu) academy in Yandina recently travelled to Sydney to compete in the AFBJJ Australian Federation of Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu New South Wales State Championship 2025, where they achieved the amazing feat of obtaining 5 Gold and 2 Silver medals combined.

The fantastic 4 are Zen Robinson 12 from Burnside, Tulley Sandberg 10, his sister Maya Sandberg 12, from Nambour and Zoe Mariani 9, from Mapleton. They visited the Harbour city and managed to come back home State Champions in their respective categories.

Maya achieved a double gold after winning both her Gi and No-Gi matches. While Zen grabbed a Gold despite having to go up one weight division. Meanwhile Tulley showed incredible heart to win his Gold in the Gi category and got his Silver in a very close no-gi match. Zoe fought up one age division and her medals came from a second place in Gi and a first place in the No-gi.

Head Instructor at Vermelho Dean Liebenberg is proud of the achievements and the hard work the kids are putting in.

The academy at Central Park Road, Yandina is always searching for more talent to join the Competition Team.

“BJJ is a great sport for kids. It teaches them discipline, resilience, patience and the results we are obtaining are proof that hard work pays,” said Dean. “I can’t wait to see what is next for our kids with the Queensland State Championship in June and the Nationals and Pan Pacific Kids coming up in August and October respectively.”