Brown wins super fight in Spokane

SPOKANE — A Bonners Ferry Jiu Jitsu athlete won a super fight at the Spokane Submission Challenge on Saturday, Sept. 30, earning a medal.

Sofia Brown, 16, won the challenge against the Seattle-based martial artist. A super fight is a one-on-one match between two highly decorated and well-known martial artists, with attendance members paying to see the fight. Brown was invited to participate in the match by promoters.

Brown has trained in Jiu Jitsu since she was 8 years old, earning all of the kids belts and is now a blue belt in adult belts, which she began collecting when turning 16.

Sofia’s father, Sam Brown, a second-degree black belt under Master Sylvio Behring, and founder of Apex Fitness and Martial Arts, has coached her since she was young.

“She's gone from a little kid taking classes under me and now trains like a professional, by lifting and meal prepping,” Brown said, adding she’s doing everything she should for her training.

Sofia has competed in eight adult competitions this year and plans to compete in a ninth competition before wrestling for Bonners Ferry High School this winter.

Brown said she is going out for wrestling in order to improve her grappling skills.

Sofia has competed around the regional circuit and has the goal of competing internationally next year.