Gracie Barra North Charleston | Jiu-Jitsu and Martial Arts Academy
Nika Schwinden
Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt | 3x IBJJF World Master Champion | Gracie Barra | Leader in Women’s Jiu-Jitsu
Nika Schwinden is a Gracie Barra Black Belt, a three-time IBJJF World Master Champion, and a leading figure in the development of women’s Jiu-Jitsu in Brazil and internationally.
Her journey combines a high-level competitive career, a degree in Psychology, more than a decade dedicated to teaching Jiu-Jitsu, and pioneering work creating opportunities for women in the sport.
3X
IBJJF WORLD
MASTER CHAMPION
9X
CBJJ BRAZILIAN
NATIONAL CHAMPION
9X
IBJJF SOUTH
AMERICAN CHAMPION
6X
IBJJF PAN-AMERICAN
CHAMPION
Athletic achievements
- 3x IBJJF World Master Champion
- 9x CBJJ Brazilian National Champion
- 9x IBJJF South American Champion
- 6x IBJJF Pan-American Champion
Throughout her career, Nika has built an impressive record among the Master athletes of her generation, competing and earning titles at some of the most important national and international Jiu-Jitsu tournaments.
Leadership in women’s Jiu-jitsu
Nika has dedicated a significant part of her journey to the development of women’s Jiu-Jitsu.
Her work began while she was still a colored belt, when she recognized the need to create more opportunities for women on the mats. What started as a local initiative grew into a women’s community that has become a reference within Gracie Barra.
Today, Gracie Barra Curitiba is home to the largest women’s program in the Gracie Barra network worldwide, the result of years of consistent work dedicated to growing and strengthening women’s Jiu-Jitsu.
Within this environment, Jiu-Jitsu is used as a tool for technical development, competition, self-defense, confidence, and personal growth.
Over the years, her team has also helped develop new Black Belts, Professors, and female leaders, expanding the presence and representation of women throughout Jiu-Jitsu.
Women’s self-defense
Self-defense plays an important role in Nika’s teaching methodology.
Drawing from her experience as both an athlete and a Professor, she has developed an approach that uses Jiu-Jitsu to teach women how to recognize potentially dangerous situations, make decisions under pressure, and apply principles of technique, control, and positioning to improve their ability to protect themselves.
More than teaching movements, her work focuses on developing body awareness, confidence, independence, and the ability to respond effectively under pressure.
For Nika, women’s Jiu-Jitsu should prepare women not only to compete, but also to feel safer and more capable both on and off the mats.
GBF | Women-only Classes
Nika is one of the leaders of the Gracie Barra Feminino (GBF) movement.
Her work contributes to creating environments where women can learn Jiu-Jitsu, develop self-defense skills, compete, teach, and step into leadership roles.
One of the foundations of her work is multiplication: developing women who can become Professors and leaders, and who can then create opportunities for other women to follow.Women-only Classes
GBF Camp
Nika Schwinden is one of the creators of GBF Camp, an international event dedicated exclusively to women’s Jiu-Jitsu, and currently serves as one of the project’s licensees.
GBF Camp was created with the purpose of providing a space where women can connect, grow, and develop through Jiu-Jitsu.
The event brings together practitioners, athletes, and Professors from different regions and countries for a program that includes training sessions, seminars, workshops, competitions, superfights, and opportunities to connect and share experiences.
Throughout its history, Nika has been directly involved in building and expanding the project, helping establish GBF Camp as a platform for the development and continued growth of women’s Jiu-Jitsu.
Different editions of the event have brought together hundreds of women in Brazil and the United States, creating opportunities for athletes, Professors, and practitioners to share knowledge, experiences, and stories through Jiu-Jitsu.
Psychology and human development
With a degree in Psychology, Nika has incorporated her academic background into the experience she has built throughout her journey as an athlete, Professor, and leader.
Her teaching methodology goes beyond technique. Her work focuses on developing discipline, self-confidence, resilience, independence, and emotional intelligence, using Jiu-Jitsu as a tool for personal development and transformation.
This combination of technical knowledge, competitive experience, and a background in Psychology is an important part of her identity as a Professor.
Developing the next generation of leaders
One of the most important parts of Nika’s legacy is her commitment to developing new generations of women within Jiu-Jitsu.
Her work is not limited to teaching techniques. Nika creates opportunities for women to become athletes, Professors, leaders, and role models within their own communities.
Her philosophy is built around multiplication: when one woman learns, grows, and finds her place in Jiu-Jitsu, she can help open the way for many others.
Instituto Jiu-Jitsu Para Todos
Together with Rodrigo Fajardo, Nika created Instituto Jiu-Jitsu Para Todos, a social initiative established to expand access to Jiu-Jitsu for people who otherwise would not have the financial means to practice the sport.
Today, the Institute supports more than seven projects throughout Curitiba, bringing Jiu-Jitsu to different communities and creating opportunities for people to experience the sport, develop discipline, and grow personally.
The project represents an important part of Nika and Rodrigo’s social mission: using Jiu-Jitsu not only as a sport, but as a tool to transform lives and develop people.
Casa GB
Nika also helped create Casa GB, a social project developed in Curitiba alongside Rodrigo “Pimpolho” Fajardo.
The project uses Jiu-Jitsu as a tool for development, giving young participants opportunities to train and grow personally. Its purpose goes beyond developing athletes. It is also about developing people.
Legacy
Nika Schwinden’s journey brings together three dimensions:
ATHLETE. PROFESSOR. LEADER.
As an athlete, she has built an international competitive record that includes World Master, Pan-American, South American, and Brazilian National titles.
As a Professor, she has developed one of Gracie Barra’s largest women’s communities and helped build, in Curitiba, the largest women’s program in the Gracie Barra network worldwide.
As a leader, she has created and strengthened projects that expand access to Jiu-Jitsu, connect women, develop new Professors and leaders, and help grow the sport across different regions and countries.
Her legacy goes far beyond medals.
It lives through the hundreds of women and countless students who have found in Jiu-Jitsu a place to learn, compete, teach, lead, grow, and transform their own lives.
