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From Boardroom to Dojo: Ivanka Trump Surprises Fans with Jiu-Jitsu Skills Alongside Gisele Bündchen’s Boyfriend
In a move that has MMA fans doing a double-take, former First Daughter Ivanka Trump has stepped onto the mats to showcase her previously unknown passion for Brazilian jiu-jitsu. The businesswoman and political figure recently demonstrated her grappling skills alongside none other than Joaquim Valente, the jiu-jitsu instructor who’s been making headlines as supermodel Gisele Bündchen’s boyfriend.
As someone who’s spent years covering the combat sports world, I’ve seen plenty of celebrities dip their toes into martial arts, but this pairing caught even me by surprise.
Ivanka’s Unexpected Journey into Self-Defense
Trump, 42, who previously maintained a public image centered around business and politics, has apparently been quietly developing her self-defense skills away from the spotlight. Sources close to the former presidential advisor indicate she’s been training for several months, embracing jiu-jitsu as both a physical challenge and practical skill set.
“I’ve found tremendous value in learning self-defense,” Trump reportedly shared during the training session. “Jiu-jitsu isn’t just about physical strength—it’s about leverage, technique, and mental discipline.”
Training with a High-Profile Instructor
Valente, who runs Valente Brothers jiu-jitsu school in Miami with his siblings, has become almost as famous for his relationship with Bündchen as for his martial arts expertise. The Brazilian instructor has been linked romantically with the supermodel following her divorce from NFL legend Tom Brady.
The choice of Valente as Trump’s instructor adds an interesting celebrity connection to what appears to be a genuine interest in martial arts training.
Why Jiu-Jitsu Appeals to High-Profile Figures
Brazilian jiu-jitsu continues to attract celebrities and public figures for several compelling reasons:
- Practical self-defense: The art focuses on techniques that allow smaller individuals to defend against larger opponents
- Mental discipline: BJJ requires strategic thinking often compared to “physical chess”
- Privacy: Training can occur in private settings away from public scrutiny
- Stress relief: High-pressure public lives benefit from the focused physical outlet
For someone like Trump, who has lived much of her adult life in the public eye and under intense scrutiny, the controlled environment of a jiu-jitsu dojo offers both physical challenge and mental escape.
The Growing Trend of Women in Combat Sports
Trump joins a growing movement of women embracing combat sports not just for fitness but for empowerment. The female participation in jiu-jitsu has exploded in recent years, with women making up nearly 30% of practitioners in what was once a male-dominated discipline.
As an MMA journalist, I’ve witnessed this transformation firsthand. The technical nature of jiu-jitsu, which emphasizes leverage over brute strength, has made it particularly accessible and appealing to female practitioners of all ages and backgrounds.
| Benefits of Jiu-Jitsu for Women | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Self-defense capability | Provides practical techniques against larger attackers |
| Confidence building | Creates mental resilience through physical challenges |
| Community support | Offers a network of like-minded training partners |
| Physical fitness | Delivers full-body workout with functional strength |
What This Means for Mainstream BJJ Awareness
When public figures like Trump embrace martial arts, it inevitably raises the profile of these disciplines. Brazilian jiu-jitsu, while growing steadily since the early UFC days, still benefits tremendously from mainstream exposure.
The visibility of someone with Trump’s public profile practicing jiu-jitsu could potentially introduce the art to audiences who might never have considered stepping onto the mats themselves. This kind of organic promotion often does more for martial arts growth than traditional marketing campaigns.
Will We See More of Ivanka on the Mats?
While it’s unclear whether Trump intends to pursue jiu-jitsu more seriously or if this was simply an exploratory session, her willingness to publicize her training suggests genuine enthusiasm for the discipline.
For the MMA community, any expansion of jiu-jitsu into new demographics represents a positive development. The technical foundation of BJJ remains a cornerstone of mixed martial arts, and broader appreciation for the “gentle art” only strengthens the overall combat sports ecosystem.
Looking Beyond the Celebrity Angle
While the celebrity connection makes for attention-grabbing headlines, the underlying story here speaks to something more fundamental: martial arts continue to break barriers and attract practitioners from all walks of life.
Whether you’re a former First Daughter or an average citizen looking for fitness and self-defense skills, the mats remain one of the great equalizers in physical culture. In the dojo, your technique matters more than your title.
Have you considered trying Brazilian jiu-jitsu? The growing accessibility of training locations means there’s likely a school near you with beginner-friendly programs. As Ivanka Trump demonstrates, it’s never too late to step onto the mats for the first time.
Source: MMA Breaking News Network
