Morrocan-French BJJ black belt Seif Eddine Houmine has made history by becoming the first Morrocan, first Frenchman and second African athlete to win the prestigious IBJJF Black Belt World Championship. This remarkable achievement is not only a personal victory for Houmine but also a milestone for African athletes in the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His victory is a testament to his dedication, skill, and hard work, marking a significant breakthrough on the international stage.
On October 8, 2024, the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) made an important announcement following the disqualification of both the first and second-place finishers in this year’s ultra-heavyweight division of the IBJJF World Championships. Yatan Bueno and Pedro Alex, who had initially claimed gold and silver, tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs and were stripped of their medals last month.
As a result, the coveted gold medal will now be awarded to Seif-Eddine Houmine of Morocco. Houmine had lost in the semi-finals to Bueno in a controversial match, where he was disqualified after receiving four penalties for holding onto his opponent’s belt for an extended period. However, with Bueno’s suspension, Houmine now takes his place at the top of the podium.
The 36-year-old Houmine becomes the first Moroccan IBJJF World Champion in the adult black belt division, the first Frenchman, and only the second African to ever win the prestigious title (according to BJJheroes.com) . The first was Angola’s Joao Roque, who captured the championship back in 1997.
Frenchwoman, Laurence Cousins became world champion in 2004 winning the female black-brown belt division, notably defeating BJJ legnd Leticia Ribeiro.
According to the IBJJF’s latest press release, the revised 2024 IBJJF World Championship results are as follows:
1st place: Seif-Eddine Houmine
2nd place: Guilherme Augusto
3rd place: Kjetil Lydvo
3rd place: Helder Jose Junior “Tropeco”
Houmine’s journey to the top has been one of perseverance and commitment, overcoming challenges both on and off the mat. He trains at Z-Team in Paris, one of the biggest teams in France with over 30 black belts. They are affiliated to the powerhouse GF Team. His win shines a spotlight on the growing talent pool in Africa, a continent that has been steadily producing high-level competitors in the martial art, and most notably France where he trained most of his Jiu-Jitsu and where Jiu-Jitsu has already become a mainstream sport in big thanks to the French BJJ federation, which has done a tremendous job in growing the sport there . By securing the IBJJF World Champion title, Houmine has set a new standard and opened doors for future African and French Jiu-Jitsu practitioners who aspire to follow in his footsteps.
This historic win will undoubtedly inspire many, not only within the BJJ community but also across the broader martial arts world, showcasing that greatness can come from any corner of the globe.
Sloth Jiu-Jitsu: you can be slow and unathletic and still kick butt in Jiu-Jitsu.