They are brother and sister and share the same passion: that of Brazilian jiu-jitsu. This week, Amandine and Gabriel will hit the tatami at the European BJJ Championship.
These two know each other like the back of their hand. Brother and sister in life, they are also partners in combat. For almost two years, they have been practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu, a martial art derived from judo.
“We can win either by point or by submission. There is a certain number of points that are awarded, either from reversals, or from back holds, or from the climb. And submission is when the opponent gives up,” says Amandine with passion. “It can be a chokehold, an ankle lock, an arm lock.”
At 18, Gabriel, Amandine’s brother, has been practicing judo for many years.
It was while wanting to improve his ground practice that he discovered jiu-jitsu, also called BJJ. Two complementary sports, yet very different.
“In judo, we are mostly standing. And I find that it supports more cardio than when we are on the ground. There are times when we have to block or resist certain situations. That helps,” he explains. “On the other hand, there are times when we have to defend certain positions. There, it’s already more complicated.”
Amandine and Gabriel are Jiu-Jitsu champions
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© France 3 Pays de la Loire
A complete novice, two years ago, it was through her little brother that Amandine, 31, discovered the discipline.
“He’s the little brother, but I find it reassuring that he’s there. We complement each other and he has his judoka approach. Me, I’m 100% BJJ. Even if I started after him, it’s true that there are things that I assimilated much more quickly.”
A competitor at heart, she has already won a third place at the European Championship in 2025. She now trains four times a week.
“There is a lot of resilience in BJJ. The fact of accepting that it is difficult and continuing anyway. Because you could give up after a fight. You see, the fights are quite intense. You could say to yourself, now, I’m tired, I’m stopping. But no, there is this thing that makes me want to go further and further.
“It’s the passion, first of all, that motivates. Sometimes the motivation isn’t always there, but the discipline takes over. I like to go to the end of things. And then, JBB is a sport where, when you do a little, you always want more, ultimately. To know more, to know more.”
In a few days, Amandine and Gabriel will both participate in the European Championship in Lisbon, Portugal.
Brother and sister intend to get on the podium.
“The ambition at the European Championship is the podium, trying to be first, we’ll see, we’ll try to get there, that’s why we come,” says Gabriel.
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