Angélica Nieto Turns Silver into U20 Grappling World Gold, Adds Bronze

A year ago, Angélica Nieto returned from Astana with a silver medal, but it wasn't enough. "I know silver is good, but it's not what I wanted," she admitted at the time, tired and with bandaged knees, her sights set firmly on one goal: gold. Twelve months later, the 18-year-old from Granadilla has achieved just that. She's now the U20 world champion in grappling gi (a hybrid martial art combining wrestling styles like Judo, Sambo, and Jiu-Jitsu, performed with a kimono). She also won a world bronze in NoGi (without a kimono). This double win in Greece proves her immense talent. Angélica Nieto is quickly becoming one of Europe's top grappling stars.

"I still can't believe it," she said, back home on the island. "It's incredibly exciting because last year I came second, and I really wanted that gold medal." Angélica's journey is a testament to perseverance, discipline, and family support. She often emphasizes that she shares her victory with her father, who is her coach, mentor, and biggest inspiration. "I'm extremely happy to share this title with my father," she added, "as we both trained so hard to achieve it."

In just three years, the Tenerife native has transformed from a promising junior talent into a recognized international star. Her name first gained attention at the European Championship in Baku, where she won gold in grappling gi. Then came the World Championship in Astana, where silver left her with a lingering frustration. Since then, her progress has been meteoric. "It's been a completely different year," she explained. "The training, my studies, moving house... everything has been an intense process of adaptation."

Angélica's life has changed significantly, including her weight category. This year, she decided to compete at 58 kilograms, dropping from 65 kilograms last season. "It was a big change," she commented, "but in the end, I think it was a good decision because competing at that weight suited me better, and everything worked out well."

However, it wasn't an easy season. Between intense training, travel, and university exams, finding a balance required careful planning. Nieto Santos is studying Business Administration and Management at the University of La Laguna and also works as an instructor at Gracie Barra, teaching children aged 8 to 14. Living in the university city, the young athlete had to quickly learn to manage herself. "Everything happened at once," she explained. "I finished high school and started university almost immediately. My diet has also been different because my father isn't there to bring me food anymore."

In Greece, Angélica was considered one of the favorites, but being a favourite guarantees nothing on the mat, where every second counts. "The final was the toughest, the most challenging, and at the same time, the most incredible," she admitted. It was a battle of nerves, technique, and endurance, putting everything she had learned to the test. The result: a world gold that cements her place as one of the best in her category globally, alongside the bronze she won in the NoGi (no-kimono) event. "I've always preferred the kimono," she confessed. Regardless, her name is now one of the most recognized in the international U20 circuit for both disciplines.

Grappling is still a niche sport in Spain, but talents like Angélica are its best global ambassadors. The Tenerife native is part of a generation that is putting the Canary Islands on the world map for martial arts without strikes. She believes grappling will eventually be included in the Olympic program. And competing in the Games? "It would be my biggest dream," she said.

For now, her main ambition is to earn a black belt and, in the long term, win the IBJJF World Championship. Angélica isn't resting on her laurels. In fact, her next goal is already circled on her calendar: the IBJJF World Championship in Las Vegas this December.