Waterford girl shows heart, humility, and an unstoppable work ethic in film on her amazing Jiu-Jitsu journey
A Waterford girl who has risen to the top of Jiu-Jitsu will have her extraordinary life portrayed on the silver screen in her native city before going global at film festivals worldwide.
A private screening of Freya – Beyond The Mat will take place on May 11 in Waterford. This powerful new feature documentary is directed by Arthur Lopes and produced by Alberto Rocha, chronicling the extraordinary rise of 11-year-old Irish athlete Freya Marsh in the international world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
In Freya - Beyond The Mat, audiences are invited into the life of a prodigious young competitor who, at just 11 years old, is not only making her mark in martial arts but also inspiring communities across continents.
Hailing from Tramore, Waterford, Freya brings heart, humility, and an unstoppable work ethic to everything she does, whether training at home, competing abroad, or balancing the demands of youth with the intensity of elite-level sport.
This 80-minute English-language documentary, filmed between April and December 2024, follows Freya through a year of transformation and triumph.
From local tournaments in Dublin to world-renowned competitions in the USA, Portugal, Brazil, and the United Arab Emirates, the film captures her journey in vivid detail. Viewers will witness the fierce challenges she faces, the victories that shape her, and the tight-knit support system that makes it all possible.
The film reveals Freya's world: the unwavering encouragement from her parents and sisters, her jiu-jitsu coach Wagner Luvezuti from Checkmat Waterford, her strength and condition coach Darragh Mulcahy from Raise The Bar, and the relentless preparation as she eyes future competitions in Brazil, the USA, and Abu Dhabi throughout 2025.
As a two-time European Champion and a gold medallist at both the Abu Dhabi Worlds and London Open, Freya has already secured silver at the Pan Americans and a host of national and UK events.
Freya is currently ranked the number one yellow belt female in her weight division and number three overall in the world by the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation. The documentary was produced by Jungle House Films, supported by K&F Concept and in collaboration with Checkmat Waterford.
The filmmakers followed Freya and her family across four continents, capturing everything from sleepy Waterford mornings to electrifying moments on championship podiums. The result is a heartfelt, cinematic experience about grit, grace, and the extraordinary journey of an ordinary girl with an extraordinary dream.
Director Arthur Lopes offers a deeply personal look at the making of the film, describing it as more than just a sports documentary, it is a story of coming of age, resilience, sacrifices, the silent battles and the quiet strength found in family and purpose. With honesty and care, Lopes brings Freya's world to life, honouring her determination and the spirit of those who support her.
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Commenting on the release of the film, Freya said: 'My ambition has always been to pursue my sport and discipline and to think this has been captured for a big screen showcase is really quite incredible.'
This is a story that will resonate far beyond the world of sports, inviting audiences to believe in the power of passion, the strength of community, and the courage it takes to dream big.
Freya - Beyond The Mat promises to inspire audiences with its powerful narrative of resilience and ambition, celebrating a local hero whose story is making waves far beyond Ireland's shores. Jungle House Films will now bring the film to global film festivals.
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