Julia Mæle came up through Felipe 'Gargamel' Mota's programme at OXY Gym in Sandnes and turned a small west-coast pipeline into a route to the top of European jiu-jitsu. She won the ADCC European Trials at -60 kg in 2022, qualifying for the ADCC Worlds, and added an EMEA Trials bronze in 2024 after a rear-naked-choke quarter-final.
At black belt she has stacked IBJJF No-Gi European titles, taken silver at the 2023 No-Gi Pans and bronze at the 2023 No-Gi Worlds, and made her WNO debut against rising American star Helena Crevar at WNO 21. A Polaris run cemented her standing on the professional no-gi circuit.
She is now one of the most internationally visible Norwegian competitors of her generation — proof that a small Norwegian gym, with the right coach, can produce world-class talent.