At the beginning of 2025, the next steps in the sport are already outlined. As champion of CAGWA’s California Super Tournament, Sienna automatically secured a spot in the State Championship, held in Fresno, on March 16. At World of Wrestling, in Reno, she will be in action at the beginning of April.
A yellow-belt in Jiu-Jitsu, it was her passion for the Gentle Art that led her to Wrestling, Sienna still aims to defend her title at the IBJJF American Nationals and Pan-Kids. In an exclusive interview with VF Comunica, the young athlete spoke about the present and the future. For her, it is already possible to plan an entry into the Olympics by Wrestling. In 2032, she intends to take this big step.
VF COMUNICA – Sienna, how do you plan to start your season as an athlete?
SIENNA OCEAN – I want to start the season strong. Right now there isn’t much going on in Jiu-Jitsu other than the opens so I am still focusing on my wrestling season. After winning first place at CAGWA’s California Super Tournament, I am automatically signed up for the State championship in Fresno on March 16th. Then, I have the final of the World of Wrestling competition which is Reno Worlds on April 3-5. The goal is to end my season while maintaining my current ranking as the #1 in the nation with the “All American” title for 12U and 110lbs.
Afterwards, it will be time to transition back to Jiu-Jitsu and get ready for Nationals and Pan Kids!
VF COMUNICA – As a Jiu-Jitsu and Wrestling athlete, how do you coordinate your priorities?
SIENNA OCEAN – It’s hard to compete at a high level in 2 different sports. I love 2 sports that actually complement each other. Lucky for me, my 2 sports don’t conflict with each other as far as the seasons are concerned. I am able to continue growing in Jiu-Jitsu while focusing mostly in wrestling during wrestling season and vice versa. Keeping in mind, I go to school in person as I am not homeschooled, I still have to maintain my grades as I take pride in my straight “A” average I have right now.
VF COMUNICA – You have invested heavily in Wrestling and have already won regional competitions. Do you intend to compete in the Olympics?
SIENNA OCEAN – I am currently ranked #1 in the nation in the biggest league in wrestling which is World of Wrestling. Achieving this goal only made me hungrier for the bigger titles. I have a long way to go in wrestling as I have not even started my high school wrestling journey. My ultimate goal is to win the 2032 Olympics. That would be the first year I am able to compete in the Olympics since I would be too young in 2028.
VF COMUNICA – Wrestling is a grappling style that can be a great help in Jiu-Jitsu. What skills do you feel you have improved since you started training in the sport?
SIENNA OCEAN – I feel that many skills have improved when I started wrestling. Mostly, I can say improving my stamina, my speed and my agility helped me tremendously in my Jiu-Jitsu. Also, wrestling being such a demanding sport mentally and emotionally, I was able to slowly learn how to control my mental ability in high stress moments in competition in both sports.
VF COMUNICA – At the beginning of the year, what goals did you set as priorities for 2025?
SIENNA OCEAN – Starting 2025, my main goal is to win Reno Worlds and claim the #1 place in the nation and obviously I’m coming for my 2nd Pan kids title now as a yellow-belt.
VF COMUNICA – You placed second at the 70th Tulsa Nationals with an excellent 4-1 performance. What can you say about that experience?
SIENNA OCEAN – Although it was tough to accept a loss in a match that was so close, losing by 2 points only, it was a great experience. I learned a very important lesson of not being focused on finishing the match with a pin but instead to display my wrestling talents where I could have easily scored more points and gotten the win.
Besides that one hard lesson, I had some really great matches. My first match, I was able to finish it with a pin in 9 seconds. My second match I wanted to get a “tech” and I scored 17-0 and finished the match in the second round. After my loss, I was challenged for a True Second match. I had lost to that opponent in my last tournament at Freakshow but this time I was able to win the match against her.
In all, it was great because no one was able to score on me, except the one mistake I made, which makes me feel confident for my upcoming tournaments.
