Rianna Tate continued her success on the mat by winning the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) No-Gi title for the third consecutive year on June 27 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Tate had two fights and came out on top with two submissions. She faced the No. 1 seed in her bracket in the first match.

“I played smart and got the submission [with a] triangle finish,” Tate said with confidence.

“[In my] second match [in the finals] I again played smart and won the national title by an armbar finish. I didn’t break a sweat in these matches at all.”

Tate felt that her preparation going into nationals was great.

“I wanted to work my top position right to a submission since most girls in jiu jitsu play guard.”

This was her first official competition at the adult level and her last blue-belt tournament, as she earned her purple-belt just a week later at 17 years old. Soon, she will make her purple-belt competition debut and compete locally in Arizona, preparing for big competitions like the IBJJF Worlds at the end of the year.

“Higher level, new competition. Super excited,” Tate said.

Following the title win, Tate participated in the Rocky Mountain Nationals (RMN), a wrestling tournament at the same convention center. Her first match was against one of California’s state champs.

“I ended up losing by 1 point. It was a super great match. I was happy with my performance,” said Tate.

In her second match, Tate won by “tech,” or technical fall, winning 10-0 by scoring takedowns on her opponent.

Tate won her third match for third place overall by a pin in under a minute with her favorite judo throw, called an “uchi mata,” right into a pin.

“I was grateful for the matches that I had because get to look at what I did right and what I did wrong and what to get better at.”

Tate is supported by her dad and MMA fighter Joe “Tomahawk” Tate, mom, siblings, as well as her strength and conditioning coach, George Castro, and his wife Kim, who is Tate’s nutritional coach.

“Thank you to everyone who supports me and helps me, all my coaches, my parents, my sponsors and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community,” said Tate.

“[I’m] always grateful for the support and love I have from my people. I do it for them.”