Pessanha’s Double Grand Slam: A Breakthrough Moment for No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu

At the 2025 IBJJF No-Gi European Championship, held in Rome from October 29 to November 2, Gabrieli Pessanha carved her name into jiu-jitsu history by becoming the first athlete ever—male or female—to achieve a Double No-Gi Grand Slam, winning gold at both weight class and open class at every major IBJJF no-gi event in her debut season. 

Pessanha entered the event as the dominant force of her generation. After winning double gold at the No-Gi Worlds and Pan No-Gi earlier this year, she showed no signs of slowing. At Euros, she submitted Nadia Frankland via kimura in the semifinals, then completed her absolute run with a smother-tap victory over Injana Goodman in the final. 

Equally noteworthy were two athletes marking themselves as the next wave of no-gi contenders. Polish grappler Pawel Jaworski stormed through the medium-heavy (85 kg) division and then defeated heavier opponents in the absolute to claim double gold.  Spain’s Ana Mayordomo added featherweight gold to a hot streak that includes victories at the ADCC EMEA Trials and the IBJJF No-Gi Pans. At 25 years old and with eight straight major-event wins, she is firmly in the breakout territory. 

Veteran champion Mayssa Bastos also upheld her legacy, taking gold at light-featherweight and reinforcing her standing among the sport’s elite. 

Editorial Note: The 2025 edition of Euros underscored two key dynamics: first, the rise of no-gi specialization as Pessanha’s milestone suggests that the no-gi pathway now carries equal historic weight to the gi circuit. Second, the emergence of fresh talent like Jaworski and Mayordomo signals a generational shift. For Pessanha, the milestone is both a capstone and a springboard. For the next tier, the opportunities are opening wide.

As the broader jiu-jitsu landscape continues to evolve, the athleticism, volume, and international field at major no-gi events are accelerating. Pessanha’s feat is one we may look back on as a hinge point—an event whose significance will grow as new names rise and the no-gi competitive era comes into full prominence.