AT just nine and seven-years-old, Swan products Amiel and Elrad Safaniev have already won state and national championships in multiple grappling disciplines and are aiming for future Olympic gold.

Despite their young age, the brothers have already racked up an incredible number of victories.
Amiel has 58 wins, while Elrad has 37.

Amiel is a two-time national freestyle wrestling champion, as well as a runner-up in beach wrestling and Brazilian jiu jitsu (BJJ), while younger brother Elrad claimed a national freestyle wrestling title and will travel to Sydney to compete for a second in June.

The brothers hone their skills at Perth Martial Arts Centre in Malaga and Ellenbrook, where they learn under two-time BJJ world champion William Diaz and Mestre Goioere Muzenza.

These elite-level coaches have helped the boys refine their technique, particularly in gi and no-gi BJJ, ensuring they develop a well-rounded skill set.

Their father Marc Safaniev said the boys had big aspirations in the world of combat sports.

“The boys’ long-term goals are to become the first ever Olympic wrestling champions for Australia, get their black belts in BJJ and win a world title in that and then go on to win a world title in the UFC,” he said.

“I was a national champion wrestler, fought in MMA, and competed in BJJ, grappling and other combat sports.

“I was born in Dagestan, Russia, the mecca of combat sports, while their mother is from Kazakhstan, a country renowned for its boxing and wrestling traditions.
“I founded Human Movement Hub fight club in Mindarie, specifically for my sons and their sparring partners.

“Their older cousin in Russia was a national champion in sports and combat sambo, reinforcing a strong family legacy in the sport.

“The boys have been training since birth, with their main gym located right in their home.”

At the Wrestling Federation of Singapore’s national open, both boys showcased their dominance.

Amiel secured double gold in sports sambo and freestyle wrestling, winning seven matches in a single day.

Elrad remained undefeated, winning four consecutive matches in freestyle wrestling, including a hard-fought 9-12 final against a strong Malaysian opponent.

Mr Safaniev said the atmosphere at the Singapore Open was intense, with tough competition from across Asia but the boys thrived under pressure.

“They always enter competitions with confidence, but these results were still a proud and exciting moment,” he said.

This year, the brothers plan to compete in the ADCC submission fighting event in Phuket, Thailand on April 16, another BJJ tournament in Singapore and the world BJJ championships in Abu Dhabi.