I’m so grateful the women @womenwhofight are doing what they’re doing. We need more women doing not just Jiu Jitsu but sports in general. Like many martial arts Jiu Jitsu is a male dominated sport where it’s not unusual for a woman to be one of a small few in a club, or in some cases be the only woman. This is why events such as the Women’s open mat are so important, they’re important as they make women feel supported and they provide women with the opportunity to discuss issues that can impact women when training. Women coming together at these events like this also makes us feel like we have a voice in the sport. Seeing so many Women rolling at the open mat event was truly inspirational! I enjoyed it so much and I’m really looking forward to the next one.

More than 65 women gathered on the same mats sharing an amazing time, EACH AT THEIR OWN PACE, no one to disrespect the other. Just there to make one another better. More than 65 women of every kind with one thing in common sharing a safe space which this time was Fight Zone London and next time will be at @elementsjiujitsu Brighton. I’m going dude! Thank you @womenwhofight.co.uk for creating a happy place for women to roll!

Yesterday was absolutely amazing. Having moved academies recently, there's hardly any girls in my new academy...I loved rolling with so many women, meeting them all for the first time, breaking the ice through warm ups and sparring and just working with each others energies rather than against it - all round beautiful experience and will definitely come to future women open mats hosted by you!

I thought the open mat was great! The best I've been to so far - so many women from all over, great talent and atmosphere! I thought you girls, Marina and Shanti, organised it quite well keeping every one engaged and I think your initiatives are super important! Will definitely do my best to do more of the open mats.

I always look forward to every opportunity to train with women - they are tough opponents. It was really great to see so many girls training and having fun doing what they love. I cannot wait for the next event!

Absolutely wonderful day. It was amazing to see and meet so many women of different backgrounds and experience levels on the mats all at the same time, the atmosphere was brilliant. If you're feeling a little apprehensive about attending (like I was) there's no need. Everyone was incredibly friendly and welcoming. Huge thanks to Marina and Shanti for starting these events, they're very much needed. Can't wait to go to another!

A room full of women fighting And then immediately hugging and laughing. A room full of women teaching and learning from each other. A room full of women supporting and empowering one other. I’ve always been told that women shouldn’t fight. That they shouldn’t be aggressive. In all the other sports I ever played I was always penalised for being too aggressive. Too physical. But jiu jitsu has given me an arena where my aggression and physicality is encouraged. And also one, where, day in and day out it is outdone by skill and technique and finesse. Women can be aggressive. And physical. They can also be technical and highly skilled. Today I was surrounded by women with all of the above. United by the love of a sport that society will tell us we’re too precious to do. Today was a special day. And it couldn’t have happened without these two queens @shantigorton and @_mavroll_ @womenwhofight.co.uk Thank you to the best gym on the planet for hosting @fightzonelondon I can’t wait for the next one.

You know what. Women only open mats are vital, nay CRUCIAL. I'm not one to be particularly bothered about entering a space and holding my own - I've had to do that my whole life (having half a family that's white and I'd visit in Israel or just generally would face scrutiny from both sides, it almost becomes second nature). But entering a space where you decidedly do NOT need to hold anything... At all?! Was an alien concept and I'd be lying if it didn't blow my mind a little. I am... By and large more introverted than you think I am, I'm just good at "performing" when necessary. I didn't need to do that at this open mat. It was day 1 of my period and my endometriosis was not playing, so I took two cocodamol instead of my usual one and...
Being able to just say, "my endo is flairing up" and rolling buddies understanding was a breath of fresh air. Beyond that, rolling and witnessing different women athletes being able to actually roll with other women and being able to feel and react to "our" game is insanely important doubly so when you can do this with folks from other gyms. That's true enrichment. I'm here for it.