Jiu-jitsu: Bronze for Curtis at world championships

Gracie Barra fighter ends 2023 with 18 medals from the year

Manx jiu-jitsu competitor Hayley Curtis has come away with a bronze medal at this year's IBJJF World Nogi Championship.

The Gracie Barra competitor was among some of the best fighters in the discipline across the globe at the event in Las Vegas, USA from 7-9 December.

She reached the last four and in the semi-final was moments away from victory with a shoulder lock in the dying seconds but would lose the contest overall by just two points.

But it wasn't the end of the road as - despite just missing out on the final - Curtis would secure bronze from the quarter-final in which her opponent was disqualified.

After 25 fights in 2023, Curtis has racked up a medal tally of six gold, three silver and nine bronze across regional, national, international and world competition.

Gracie Barra Coach, Conrad Roberts, says Hayley has shown 'incredible grit and determination' throughout the year, also describing her as an 'inspiration' to fellow members of the Island club.