1. Penny Thomas was born on 2 July 1979 and is a South African submission grappler and 3rd degree Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt practitioner and coach.
10 Facts About Penny Thomas
1. 2.
Penny Thomas was born in Durban, South Africa on 2 July 1979.
3.
Penny Thomas started training gymnastics from age 5, becoming part of the South African Junior Olympic team by age 12.
4.
In 2001, while training in kickboxing, Penny Thomas was introduced to Brazilian jiu-jitsu by Micah Atkinson.
5.
Penny Thomas began traveling to Brazil to train, becoming the first South African female to receive a blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
6.
In 2007, Penny Thomas relocated to San Diego to train under Leticia Ribeiro, joining the Gracie Humaita female team; in May of that year, she became ADCC Submission Fighting World champion, after defeating Lana Stefanac in the final.
7.
In 2008, Penny Thomas received her black belt from Heredia, becoming the first person from the African continent to attain a BJJ black belt.
8.
At the 2009 ADCC World held in Barcelona, Spain, Penny Thomas won a silver medal after defeating Shanti Abelha in the quarter-final and Cris Cyborg in the semi-final, before losing by leglock to Hannette Staack in the final.
9.
At the 2011 ADCC World, Penny Thomas secured a win in the first round against Talita Nogueira with a rear naked choke, before facing Gabi Garcia who won the match after securing a shoulder crush from side control; Penny Thomas then suffered a knee injury during the bronze match against Ida Hansson, finishing the championship in fourth place.
10.
Outside of grappling, Penny Thomas has won a prestigious advanced mathematics tournament and has received multiple awards for her artworks.