Local Jiu Jitsu champion finds deeper meaning in the sport [Video]

Sarah Souza, 14, is a local Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competitor who has already achieved national recognition and accolades in the teen orange belt division.She is a back-to-back national champion who recently won each of her fights at the American Nationals by submission. Souza also had a win this year at the Pan-American championship, well known as the largest Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competition in the Americas.As a survivor of domestic violence, Souza turned to the practice of Jiu Jitsu to learn self defense.“It definitely has helped me overcome a lot of obstacles, I used to be so scared of the world, and not as confident as I am now. Jiu Jitsu has been really helping me with that.”Souza trains at the Coyote Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy in Albuquerque. Her professor and stepfather, Daniel Souza, has been key in her development. Daniel is the highest ranked black belt in New Mexico.”Year by …