At just 17 years old, Helena Crevar has already etched her name into the annals of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) history. Fresh off a silver medal performance at ADCC 2024, where she became the youngest competitor ever to reach a final, Crevar’s remarkable journey continues with her recent promotion to purple belt, awarded by none other than John Danaher, one of the most respected figures in the sport.
Crevar, who began her BJJ journey at the tender age of eight, has rapidly ascended through the ranks. Her promotion to purple belt is the latest milestone in a career that has been nothing short of extraordinary. On her Instagram, Crevar expressed her deep gratitude for the promotion, sharing her excitement and appreciation for the gift she received from Danaher—a one-of-a-kind Japanese Seki knife. In her heartfelt post, she acknowledged the immense growth she’s experienced, particularly in the past year and a half since joining Team New Wave, where she’s had the privilege of training alongside elite athletes like Gordon Ryan and Garry Tonon.
Her promotion comes at a time when Crevar’s accomplishments have caught the attention of the entire BJJ community. Despite earning her blue belt two years ago, Crevar’s rapid development and competitive success have led some to criticize her recent performances at the blue belt level, accusing her of sandbagging. However, these critiques overlook the fact that Crevar, as a teenager, was simply following the IBJJF’s belt progression rules. According to these regulations, a practitioner can only be promoted to purple belt at the age of 17, which Crevar has now achieved.
Helena Crevar’s journey took a pivotal turn in late 2022 when she made the bold decision to move across the country to train under Danaher at New Wave Jiu-Jitsu. This move proved to be a game-changer, as her development skyrocketed under the tutelage of one of the most renowned coaches in the world. Within a year, Crevar earned a silver medal at the ADCC Trials, narrowly missing out on the gold. However, she soon made up for it by winning the ADCC West Coast Trials in 2024, securing her spot at the prestigious ADCC 2024, where she ultimately claimed silver.
Beyond her ADCC achievements, Crevar has been a formidable competitor on the international stage. She has competed in nearly every major promotion in the sport, even traveling to the UK to win the lightweight title at Polaris 28. Her success across different platforms has solidified her reputation as one of the most promising young talents in the sport.
With her promotion to purple belt, Crevar now faces a new challenge: competing at a higher level in IBJJF events, particularly in the gi. Given her track record, there’s little doubt that she will rise to the occasion, continuing to push the boundaries of what’s possible for a young athlete in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. As she embarks on this next chapter of her journey, the BJJ community will be watching closely, eager to see what new heights Helena Crevar will reach.
Helena wrote on her IG:
“I am deeply honored and thrilled to share that I’ve been promoted to purple belt and received an amazing gift, a one of a kind Japanese Seki Knife this morning by Professor @danaherjohn. My journey in jiu-jitsu began at eight years old, progressing through the kids belts, and I earned my blue belt two years ago. Over the past year and a half with Team New Wave, I’ve grown immensely, and I’m profoundly grateful for the support and guidance from @danaherjohn, @gordonlovesjiujitsu, @garrytonon, and all my teammates. This promotion is not just a personal achievement but a reflection of the incredible training environment I’m fortunate to be part of. I’m proud to represent the team and excited for what lies ahead in this journey.”
