Seven-year-old Fijian-Tongan star wins fourth world jiu-jitsu title

A seven-year-old Pacific jiu-jitsu prodigy is already thinking about her next title after adding another world title to her growing collection.

Achillea Fotofili Hennessy, of Tongan and Fijian descent from Auckland, recently won gold at the SJJF World Championship in Tokyo, Japan, taking her world title tally to four.

It is the latest achievement for a young athlete, who trains daily and competes across 10 sports, although Brazilian jiu-jitsu remains her main focus.

Her previous world titles include the NAGA World Championships in Texas, the IBJJF Pan Kids and the NEWBREED World Championships in Florida.

Speaking with Nemai Tagicakibau on Pacific Days, Trevor Hennessy, Achillea’s father, says watching his daughter compete on the world stage is a source of huge pride.

But he says her drive was clear long before jiu-jitsu became part of her life.

“I always knew that no matter what she was going to do, that she was going to be a champion, even before she started doing jiu-jitsu,” Trevor says.

Achillea Fotofili Hennessy. Photo/Facebook/Koniseti Liutai

“When I first saw her on the mats, she was just always naturally stronger. Everything she did was always amazing.

“Even when she was three years old, I got a video of her. I put her on a bike and she taught herself how to ride a bike in like three minutes.”

Trevor also says Achillea was already walking at nine months and has always been quick to take on new challenges.

2026 18 09 Achillea Fotofili Hennessy won Gold at the 2026 Australian National Wrestling Championships. Photo/Facebook/Koniseti Liutai

“She's always just always been ahead of the curve. Whatever she wanted to do, she was always going to be great at. So not a single moment but every moment.”

But behind the medals and daily training, her family is always making sure she gets to enjoy being a child.

Trevor says balancing a serious sporting schedule with family time and fun can be challenging.

He says the family makes time to visit parks, swimming spots, and local attractions after competitions.

The young champion says travelling for sport has also become part of the fund.

Watch Achillea Fotofili Hennessy and Trevor Hennessy’s full interview below.

Japan was one of her favourite competitions because she enjoyed making new friends.

She trains in jiu-jitsu under Clinton Terry at Daredevil Jiu Jitsu and remains deeply connected to her Tongan heritage through her mother’s family roots in Pea and Lapaha.

“I would like to say hi to my friends. I really thank you for watching me. And I’d really like to see you again,” Achillea says.

Listen to Achillea Fotofili Hennesy’s interview from July:

Achillea’s next challenges are already lined up. In three weeks, she is due to compete at the national freestyle wrestling and judo championships in Auckland.

Then in December, she hopes to return to Texas for the NAGA World Championships alongside her younger sister.

Trevor says the medals are only one part of what he wants his daughter to gain from sports.

He says her achievements are a vehicle for long-term personal growth and the bigger goal is to give her every opportunity to become the best person she can be.

For more information on the SJJIF World Jiu Jitsu Championship 2026, click here.