Lopez rules jiu-jitsu tourney in Canada

MANILA, Philippine — A young Filipino jiu-jitsu artist added another feather on her cap as she shone in a tournament in Canada recently.

Yani Alexii Lopez showcased her exceptional skills and power in blanking Maya McKee of Team Niagara BJJ Cicero Costha Canada, 20-0, in a lopsided girls gi teen 14-15 white grey belt championship match in the 2025 Great Lakes Kiu Jitsu Open-Canada in Ontario.

“I’m so thankful that I’ve been given this opportunity to compete in Pan Kids here in Ontario,” said the 14-year-old Lopez, as she acknowledged support that came her way to the competition.

Lopez was just as impressive as she was right in the first round of the competition.

She subdued Mackenzie Cloutier, another bet from Team Niagara BJJ (Cicero Costha Canada), via submission with a cross-collar choke in the third minute.

Lopez was already enjoying an insurmountable 13-0 lead over the Canadian, before she gave her all to end things with submission hold.

“In the first round, I was up 13-0 then I submitted her via cross collar choke in the third minute,” she said.

Lopez was actually entered in the 95lb division. But according to her, her dad moved her up by one division to 105lbs due to lack of competition.

The organizer though moved her further — to 115lbs — because she still did not have any opponents in the division. However, her supposed opponents in that class were both overweight.

In the end, the organizers decided to move Lopez along with the two overweight participants to 125lbs.