AVELEY resident Kaiya Regan has set her sights on the Brazilian jiu-jitsu world championships and looks set to get there with an impressive winning streak in local competitions.

The nine-year-old started training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu when she was only six, and over three years of competition has garnered a collection of state, national and international championship medals that is nothing short of astounding.

She said her parents put her in the sport for fitness, learning self-defence and friendship.

“I immediately fell in love with the sport and have been doing it for over three years now,” she said.

“I love the challenge of learning techniques and getting better. I love that it makes me more confident and fit. I like that it teaches me how to lose as well as win, and that’s okay. I love the respect and discipline I learn during classes which makes me a better person. My favourite part is also the teamwork and wonderful friendships I have made.”

Finding matches in WA that can keep up with her has been proving a challenge, Kaiya said, and she often has to compete against older girls or boys her age to find a competitive match, when she is only supposed to be competing against girls her own age.

Kaiya trains at Perth martial arts centre in Ellenbrook, and has competed all around the country, including in Melbourne for national titles and the Pan-Pacific kids’ international competition, both of which she won last year.

Kaiya is also a nine-time state title holder for her age group.

She has a rigorous training regimen, and said she has found a range of things to help her keep in top form.

“I train every day, eat well, plus daily chin-ups, push-ups and sit-ups to get extra strong! Baths for recovery and also mum gives me a full body massage the night before my event,” she said.

“I also visualise myself in the competition, winning with my hand held high and on the first podium place and have positive self-talk for my mental preparation.”

Kaiya’s mum Tiana Caverley said her daughter loved her sport and representing her country.

“Kaiya possesses an unwavering commitment, dedication and enthusiasm for Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and despite her young age, she displays a level of skill, discipline and sportsmanship that is truly remarkable and beyond her years,” she said.

“She has set her sights on competing at the highest level and achieving her dream of becoming a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and world champion.”

Kaiya will travel to Melbourne again this week for the national championships and has also qualified for the Youth Gi World Championships in Abu Dhabi next year.

She is currently looking for sponsorship to help fund her dreams of competing all over the world.