Abbie O'Toole
Born on October 6, 1994, and raised in Acton, London, UK, I began training Jiu-Jitsu at the age of 19. I had just finished school and was feeling adrift—searching for focus, direction, and a deeper sense of purpose. Like many others, I was also driven by the desire to learn how to defend myself. What started as a personal challenge soon became a passion that would shape the course of my life.
In the early years, I trained at various academies while attending university. But it wasn’t until 2019, when I joined the Roger Gracie Academy, that everything changed. Surrounded by committed professors and an inspiring team, I found the environment I needed to truly grow as both an athlete and a person.
After the COVID-19 pandemic, I made a pivotal decision to fully dedicate myself to competition. I wanted to test my limits, develop my game, and chase the dream of becoming a world champion. That commitment transformed Jiu-Jitsu from a passion into a career.
Before Jiu-Jitsu, I had experience in football (soccer) and even competitive Irish dancing, but BJJ was the first sport that made me feel fully connected and driven. It asked everything of me—physically, mentally, and emotionally—and gave me so much in return.
One of the most memorable moments in my journey was earning a bronze medal at the 2022 IBJJF Worlds in the purple belt featherweight division. I had no expectations going into the event—just a desire to see how far I could go. After winning three matches by submission, I proved to myself that I was capable of competing and winning at the highest levels.
Today, I compete in the Featherweight division, and I’m proud to represent my academy and team across the world stage.

Some of Abbie’s top accomplishments include:
- Black Belt awarded by Roger Gracie – Summer 2024
- Rome Open Absolute Champion – Black Belt (2025)
- Jiu Jitsu Con Open Class Champion – Brown Belt (2023)
- BJJF Worlds Bronze – Purple Belt (2022)
- BJJF Pans Bronze – Brown Belt (2023 & 2024)
- IBJJF Europeans Bronze – Brown Belt (2024)
- Polaris Veteran
Abbie's Favorites Products:
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Did You Know?
Favorite Match: Roger Gracie vs Buchecha 2017
Person of Inspiration: My sister Kelly and partner Daniel
Hometown: London, UK
Started Jiu-Jitsu in: November 2013
Current Team: Roger Gracie Academy
Training Routine: In a week, I usually train in 4 competition classes, 2 specific sparring and drilling sessions, and then some evening training. I also lift twice a week.
Favorite Post-Competition Meal: Depends on the location of the competition, but usually a donut and then pizza!
Pre-Fight Ritual: A good warm-up followed by listening to music
Greatest Victory So Far: Being able to spend every day on the mats training and teaching
Dream in Jiu-Jitsu: To become a world champion.
If I weren’t an athlete, I’d be...: a veterinarian
Quote that represents me: “We don’t change our goals, we change our strategy.” – Rubens ‘Cobrinha’ Charles
Favorite Kingz Gi: Blue Nano 3.0
One piece of advice for beginners: Stay curious with your training; ask questions, focus on improving your technique, and challenge yourself in competition.




My game has always favored armbars, especially rolling armbars from mount or those caught during guard pass attempts. Even as a white belt, these techniques felt instinctive—and they’ve remained a consistent part of my style ever since.
Outside of Jiu-Jitsu, I’m a lifelong animal lover. Before fully committing to the sport, I was pursuing a career in veterinary medicine. I still carry that passion with me today—I have two rabbits at home, and they’ve been my favorite animals since childhood. They keep me grounded and remind me of the importance of care, patience, and presence.
To me, a champion’s mindset is built on resilience, accountability, and intelligent perseverance. It means staying stubborn in pursuit of your goals, pushing through hard matches and tough losses, and never losing sight of your growth. It also means being smart—protecting your body, choosing your battles wisely, and focusing only on what’s within your control.
I’m proud of the journey so far, and even more excited for what’s still ahead.