Seven-year-old Tongan-New Zealand martial arts prodigy Achillea Hennessy has claimed her fourth world jiu-jitsu title after another international triumph, this time in Tokyo, Japan.
Achillea won the SJJF World Championships, adding another major title to an extraordinary record that began when she was just six years old.
Her first world title came at the NAGA World Jiu-Jitsu Championships in Texas, United States, last year.
She followed that by winning the IBJJF Pan Kids in Florida, regarded as one of the world’s leading children’s Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitions, before securing another title at the NEWBREED World Championships in Florida a month later.
Her victory in Tokyo is now her fourth world title.
Achillea has Tongan roots through her mother, Hinehina ʻAtelangi Fotofili, whose family is from Pea, Vaikopuna, while Fotofili’s father is from Lapaha. Her maternal family was born and raised in Tonga before moving to New Zealand more than 30 years ago.
Achillea began jiu-jitsu at about five and currently trains at Daredevil Jiu Jitsu under coach Clinton Terry, while her father has trained and guided her from the beginning across the 10 sports in which she participates.
Trevor said Achillea trains every day and, because she is home-schooled, has the flexibility to train several times a day while pursuing multiple sports. Ahead of major competitions, she normally trains at least twice daily.
He attributes much of her early success to consistent family support, hard work and what he describes as God-given talent.
Trevor recalled Achillea crying with emotion after winning her first world title because it was her first victory on an international stage.
Her IBJJF Pan Kids victory was particularly emotional because of the level of competition, he said, but winning world titles has since become more familiar to the seven-year-old.
“She knows what she can do and is very confident,” Trevor said, adding that despite her success, she remains a child who wants to enjoy herself.
Achillea is also being raised with a strong awareness of her Tongan identity. Her family speaks Tongan to her daily, and she knows her family connections, villages and heritage, although she has yet to visit Tonga.
“Representing NZ and an even smaller nation, Tonga, is cool for us,” Trevor said. “She is happy to represent her family and her lineage and to make us all proud.”
Achillea, who lives with her family in Panmure, is already preparing for her next challenges.
In three weeks, she is expected to compete at the New Zealand national championships in freestyle wrestling, followed by the national judo championships.
Her father said victories at both would give her national titles in two more combat sports. She has already competed successfully in Australia in those disciplines.
Achillea is also expected to return to the NAGA World Championships in December, where she will attempt to win another world jiu-jitsu title.
This time, her sister — whom Trevor describes as another highly promising young athlete — is expected to travel with her and pursue her own first world title.
For Trevor, however, the long-term goal extends beyond medals.
He said the family would continue developing Achillea, competing and creating opportunities for her, but their most important aim was “developing her into the best woman she possibly can be”.
