A seven-year-old girl will represent Samoa at a Jiu-Jitsu world championship in Las Vegas in the United States of America in August this year.

Miller Dwyer, who lives in west Auckland and is of Irish and Samoan descent, will compete in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) athlete category at the Jiu-Jitsu CON 2023 tournament and will represent Samoa. 

The eldest of two girls, Ms. Dwyer's father is from Ireland and her mother is from Samoa. Her grandmother Faye Penn is from Iva and Lefaga and her grandfather Maua Miller is from Faleasiu and Saanapu. Her sibling is a year old. 

In an interview with the Samoa Observer on Tuesday, the young martial artist's mother Escmay Dwyer said that getting into the BJJ happened by accident for her daughter, who initially signed up for tap dancing classes two doors up from The Combat Centre, where she is now based and fights.

She started BJJ in March last year at the age of six and has since then started competing in July with over 50 fights under her belt.

“She wanted to give boxing a go because a cousin was doing it. After a few weeks of boxing, she gave BJJ a go and immediately fell in love with the sport," Mrs. Dwyer said. 

“Miller likes the sport because it is fun, challenges her in many ways, and she has formed some great relationships through it. No one in the family is involved in the sport so it is new to all of us."

Ms. Dwyer's biggest inspirations are the Samoan BJJ athlete and New Zealand National champion, Shalom Leilua and mix martial arts BJJ and taekwondo fighter Macca Jean, according to her mother. 

"These women are Miller’s role models setting great examples as respectful and hardworking women for girls in combat sports."

In the lead-up to the competition in August this year, the young martial artist has started training in private sessions with different BJJ coaches in preparation for Jiu-Jitsu CON in Las Vegas.

Her mother says her daughter understands that the standard and level of BJJ in the U.S. is high so she is working hard to ensure she is well prepared for her first ever international tournament. Her week compared to any other seven year old is far from normal, and she would not have it any other way. 

“Some weeks Miller does not rest as she enjoys going to open mat sessions at other gyms to be able to roll with friends and different people. She is well aware of her body and will tell us when she needs to rest or is not feeling well.”

Attending school in west Auckland, the emerging athlete understands the rule that if she's not performing at school then she cannot train, added her mother. 

Ms. Dwyer was promoted to grey/white belt after 8 months of starting BJJ. Aside from BJJ she loves to read, learning the piano with her grandfather, Maua Miller, and rock climbing. She shares her interest with many friends and will be traveling alongside some of them to compete on the world stage. She hopes to one day become an MMA fighter and to be the first Samoan female UFC champion.