A few short years ago, after just being released from the military, Jo walked into a local martial art and yoga facility in North Bay, called Grounded Studios, searching for something to challenge herself with, she needed a purpose.
Her jiu-jitsu journey began with her coach at Grounded Studios, Adam Gignac. It was not long before she gained a passion for the sport and started competing under the Renzo Gracie Jiu-Jitsu family name.
Jo decided to pursue her professional fighting career and moved to Ottawa where the Renzo Gracie Jiu Jitsu HQ is located. She now trains under head instructor Matt “Hammer” Hache at the Ottawa Academy of Martial Arts.
On December 11, Jo travelled to Anaheim California to compete in the largest No- Gi (No Kimono) Jiu Jitsu tournament, the 2019 IBJJF World No-Gi Jiu Jitsu Championships.
Jo was able to persevere through a broken hand injury from her last Pro MMA fight, this past October. Pushing back the surgery date in order to compete in this prestigious tournament, there was nothing that was going to stop her from stepping foot on those mats in Anaheim.
Jo walked away with a silver medal in her blue belt division going 2-1, but the ultimate test came when she decided to enter into the Absolute division. The Absolute division is an open weight bracket reserved for the top four competitors from each weight division at that belt. Jolinne went 4-0 and walked away with the Gold.
