"It feels amazing. I was born and raised in Las Vegas. So, it's definitely great being back home competing, especially at such a big tournament like ADCC West Coast trials." 

Helena started ju-jitsu when she was just 8 years old when she took a class at an LVAC. She liked the fact that it was a sport where the smaller person can beat a much bigger 2opponent, and after a few classes, she was 3hooked. 

"They had us, like little kids, just like wrestle each other without even knowing anything, and I always liked that. I get to the 4mount on the kids, and I was like, 'I like this.'" 

With her win at the ADCC West Coast trials, Helena will be the youngest-ever competitor to 5qualify for the ADCC World Championships, one of the top ju-jitsu competitions. She recently moved to Austin, Texas, to train under John Danaher, one of the greatest ju-jitsu coaches 6of all time. And he says her 7maturity is 8well beyond her years. 

"When I actually saw her training in the gym, it quickly became 9apparent she's a 10superb student. She learns incredibly quickly. She 11immerses herself in study. She takes the sport as seriously as any of the professional athletes and she was doing it to the age of 15, 16. On the ground, she could go with anyone in her weight division in the world, even the top people and do 12extremely well."

Helena says she hopes to 13inspire more girls to 14give ju-jitsu a shot, whether it be for 15self-defense, or for the sweet feeling of getting your hand raised. 

"Being able to attack any part of the body and 16manipulate your opponent. It's really an amazing sport, especially for girls and I'm really happy to see a lot more girls competing in ju-jitsu."