A young martial artist with Samoan heritage has won her first ever gold medal in the Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Oceania competition in Australia at the weekend.

Seven-year-old Haifa Lynch took out gold at the Abu Dhabi jiu-jitsu Oceania pro, which is the second biggest competition in the world.

Her mother Futi Lynch told the Samoa Observer that she is proud of her daughter’s achievements, especially when she has only been part of the sport for a year.

"And what a place to win it at the Abu Dhabi jiu-jitsu Oceania pro, the second biggest competition in the world,” said Lynch.

“Earning herself 1400 world-class ranking points and potentially securing her spot to next year's world championships in Abu Dhabi.”

She said her daughter’s achievements will make the Lynch family proud as well as extended family in Siufaga Falelatai, Samoa especially her (Haifa's) grandparents Fofoga and Elikapo Taefu Taulagi.

Haifa's Grandparents in Samoa are so proud of their first grand baby Haifa," she added.

With her gold medal, she is now eligible to compete in the Junior World Championships, according to Lynch.

She added that Haifa is happy to represent Samoa in the sport and both her and her husband want their daughter to represent Samoa.

"She would love to represent Samoa and we would want her too as well, especially to our knowledge, we don't think there has been a Samoan world champion in jiu-jitsu so she could possibly even be the first. 

“And hopefully, open up the door of jiu-jitsu for Samoa. 

“The world championships haven't been given an exact date yet, I think they're still waiting to see what happens with traveling conditions, because of COVID but all we know is next year sometime at this stage.”

Lynch also indicated that Haifa does not let her training get in the way of her studies and they are always on top of both her studies and sports.

"She trains two hours per day six days a week. I know we are very proud but don't worry she still finds time to be cheeky and give her parents a headache in her spare time. 

“Our schedule everyday picks her up after school then straight to her training, dinner then back on homework, so both of us parents put a lot of effort into her school as well as sports."

Haifa’s father is also a sportsperson and she drew her interests from him. 

The next stop for Haifa is the Gosford NSW competitions and then the Junior's World Championship, though it is still unclear whether it will push through this year.

Her mother said: "Her dad did it for a little while but it's at the same place she does wrestling. They have a lot of different martial arts there. 

“She trains jiu-jitsu, wrestling and muay Thai. The next competition will be in Gosford NSW in April. 

“But now that she has won this major competition we want her to compete at the Abu Dhabi junior world championships, but of course, depends on COVID and flight restrictions as well though.

"The world championships haven't been given an exact date yet I think they're still waiting to see what happens with traveling conditions because of covid but all we know is next year sometime at this stage.”