JitsCast #7 is a special edition featuring both Adele Fornarino and Jake O’Driscoll together at the same time. Fornarino is celebrating the best year of her career so far in 2024, as she has reached the pinnacle of the sport with her coach O’Driscoll alongside her. She made history by becoming the first Australian ADCC champion earlier this year and she also competed in the first female absolute division in 19 years at the same event, winning another title despite being the lightest competitor in the bracket. Fornarino continued competing in 2024 even after that accomplishment and towards the end of the year, she won the WNO strawweight title at Who’s Number One 25.
Both her and O’Driscoll shared a little about their background prior to finding Jiu-Jitsu, and we also spoke about their perspectives as competitors from a comparatively smaller scene in Australia. Not only is it interesting to see how grapplers from outside the US and Brazil have managed to break through to the mainstream Jiu-Jitsu world, but they also discussed some of their fellow Australian competitors like Lucas Kanard and Kaya Rudolph. O’Driscoll was also able to share some valuable insight into life as a coach of an elite competitor, along with some comments on professionalism in the sport in general.
Fornarino took the time to dissect her incredible run at ADCC 2024, including specific matches from both the under 55kg division and the absolute division. While that was undoubtedly her biggest achievement of the year and her career so far, she also discussed the Who’s Number One title that she won this year too. Looking to the future; Fornarino revealed her plans for even more ADCC titles and the goal of becoming the first ever female superfight champion in the promotion’s history, along with some major IBJJF titles as well. In terms of particular opponents, we also talked about the rematch that she wants to have with Ffion Davies.
JitsCast #7 with Adele Fornarino and Jake O’Driscoll is now available to watch on the official JitsMagazine YouTube channel, click here to subscribe for more or check out the interview below:
