A community-led Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competition was held in Newquay after a scheduled event was cancelled.

The Cornwall Community Open Interclub Brazilian JiuJitsu competition brought together more than 90 competitors and nearly 200 attendees at Wax Gym.

The original competition, organised externally, had already been cancelled earlier in the year and was cancelled again at short notice just four days before it was due to take place leaving many local athletes, including children and families, without the opportunity to compete once again.

Casandra Perez, a local competitor from Northshore Jiu-Jitsu and founder of Empower Her, a community initiative focused on helping women and girls build confidence and strength through jiu-jitsu, stepped in to organise an alternative event within a few days.

Working alongside head coach Rene Terblanche from Northshore Jiu-Jitsu, who also leads the Mind on the Mat mental health initiative, the event was organised quickly with strong community support.

The competition focused on creating a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive environment, particularly for first-time competitors. Clubs from across Cornwall and Plymouth came together to take part, with participants ranging from beginners to experienced athletes.

The event received overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants and families, many of whom highlighted the friendly atmosphere and the opportunity for first-time competitors to take part.

Additional support was provided by local businesses and brands, with Moose Toys also donating gifts for all participating children.

Casandra said: “I knew how much this meant to people.

“In Cornwall, we don’t have many opportunities to compete locally, and not everyone can afford to travel. I didn’t want to see so many people — especially kids — miss out after putting in the work to prepare.

“The goal was to create something that felt safe and positive.

“Jiu-jitsu can sometimes feel intimidating from the outside, but this showed how supportive and community-driven it can be.”