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Achillea Hennessy

Achillea Hennessy’s early jiu-jitsu journey combines evening practice with her father and a family life built around school and sport.

Biography

Achillea Hennessy’s introduction to jiu-jitsu came through her father, Trevor. In a September 2026 email interview with Fiji Sun, he said the chance to compete early had made it a favorite among the sports she tried. He hoped sport would help her develop confidence. The family’s Lakeba, Lau connection comes through her paternal grandmother. Trevor told The Coconet that she began around five, with early contests sometimes putting her against much older boys. He practiced with her each evening. Training was part of a wider family routine: the children were homeschooled, with education and sport organized together. Trevor also described speaking Tongan at home so they could learn the language and understand their family’s culture. By September 2026, the Auckland-based youngster was learning from Clinton Terry at Daredevil Jiu Jitsu. PMN reported successes at NAGA in Texas, IBJJF Pan Kids and NEWBREED in Florida before her Tokyo trip. The same report described family outings alongside daily training; for Achillea, meeting new friends was a highlight of Japan. The SJJIF’s 2026 World Championship results place her first in Female Gray Kid 2 Medium Heavy in gi, the format contested in a training jacket.

Sources for this profile

  • Fiji Sun, Ioane Asioli, September 26, 2026.(opens in a new tab)

    • Trevor Hennessy told Fiji Sun that he introduced his daughter Achillea to jiu-jitsu; among the sports she tried, its early competition opportunities appealed to her. He wanted sport to build her confidence. Her paternal grandmother comes from Lakeba, Lau.

      Where in the source: Father’s email account of introduction and aims.

      Accessed:

  • PMN, Aui’a Vaimaila Leatinu’u, September 18, 2026.(opens in a new tab)

    • PMN identifies Auckland-based Achillea Fotofili Hennessy as a pupil of Clinton Terry at Daredevil Jiu Jitsu. Its September 2026 account describes daily practice balanced with family outings; she enjoyed making friends in Japan.

      Where in the source: Training, family balance and Japan recollection.

      Accessed:

    • PMN reported earlier successes at NAGA in Texas, IBJJF Pan Kids and NEWBREED in Florida before the Tokyo trip.

      Where in the source: Earlier-event sequence in the family report.

      Accessed:

  • The Coconet TV, interview with Trevor Hennessy.(opens in a new tab)

    • In The Coconet’s family interview, Trevor recalled Achillea starting around five and initially facing much older boys. He described practicing with her every evening, homeschooling alongside sport, and using Tongan at home to pass on the family’s culture.

      Where in the source: Beginnings, nightly practice and family culture.

      Accessed:

  • SJJIF, 2026 World Championship results.(opens in a new tab)

    • SJJIF’s 2026 World Championship gi results list Achillea Hennessy first in Female Gray Kid 2 Medium Heavy, with academy recorded as Other and country NZL.

      Where in the source: Gi results → Female Kids → Kid 2 medium heavy.

      Accessed:

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