Shiho Yaginuma
Shiho Yaginuma · Japan
Champion of the roosterweight division at the 2014 Worlds, the first year the category existed for adult women, she became the first Japanese athlete to win a black belt world title.
- Japanese athlete to win an adult black belt world title
- 1st
Who is Shiho Yaginuma
Shiho Yaginuma made Worlds history in 2014, the year the IBJJF created the roosterweight division for adult female black belts. In the debut edition of the category, with three athletes, she beat American Marcela Lawton in the final on the referees’ decision after a match with no points or advantages, becoming the first Japanese athlete to win an adult black belt world title. Melissa Danforth took bronze.
She competed for Nexusense. In the years that followed, her compatriot Rikako Yuasa dominated the same division and became the second Japanese athlete to win a black belt world title.
In 2025, unable to travel to the Worlds, she received a world champion shirt from the IBJJF, delivered to her in Japan. Away from competition she photographs tournaments for the Japanese jiu-jitsu federation, the JBJJF, and works in design.
Recent wins
- 2014Marcela LawtonWorlds, final · referee decision
Major titles
2014
- IBJJF Worlds Roosterweight Gold
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