“I had to defend myself a few times” - Danielle Kelly opens up on how she was bullied many times in school growing up

Danielle Kelly, the reigning ONE women’s atomweight submission grappling world champion, recently opened up about her challenging school years. Despite her current status as a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) superstar, Kelly’s journey was far from easy. In a candid interview, she revealed that she faced bullying multiple times during her school years, which forced her to defend herself on several occasions.

Kelly’s experiences with bullying began in elementary school and continued through her teenage years. She recounted being involved in three or four fights, often as the new kid in school. These incidents were pivotal in her decision to learn self-defense through wrestling and BJJ.

Danielle Kelly unveils her past

Reflecting on her past, Danielle Kelly shared, “I was in, like, three or four fights in my lifetime. My first time was when I was a new kid in sixth grade. The second time was in eighth grade, and then the third time was when I was new at another school, and I was a junior, and the other girl was a senior”. These experiences not only shaped her resilience but also fueled her passion for martial arts.

Danielle Kelly’s journey into BJJ began when her father introduced her to martial arts as a way to find a healthy outlet and after-school activity. Initially starting with karate, she soon transitioned to BJJ, where she discovered her natural talent for grappling. Competing mostly against boys, Kelly quickly excelled and fell in love with the sport. This newfound passion provided her with a sense of belonging and confidence that she had struggled to find in school.

Submission hunter 💯 Will Danielle Kelly remain the atomweight submission grappling queen when she defends the crown against Mayssa Bastos at ONE Fight Night 24 on @primevideo?#ONEFightNight24 | Fri Aug 2 at 8PM ET
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— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) July 22, 2024

Today, Kelly stands as a testament to the power of perseverance and self-belief. Her story is a powerful reminder that even the most accomplished individuals often have to overcome significant personal challenges. As she prepares to defend her title against top contender Mayssa Bastos, Kelly’s journey from a bullied schoolgirl to a world champion continues to inspire many.