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ONE Championship athlete and jiu-jitsu black belt sensation Danielle Kelly is one of the most prominent grapplers in the world today.
Once on the level that she's currently at, it's safe to say that fighters will inevitably have their detractors. Some would say that it's a sign that athletes have already made it to the big leagues.
In a photo posted on Danielle Kelly's Instagram account, the American grappling slickster spoke about what it means to make it to the top as a woman in her sport:
"These past few years I learned if you’re at the top or going to the top you have to realize people want you to fail. That’s the name of the game. especially for a female athlete in the sport if you’re successful. work hard in silence and shut up the doubters. 2023 views💸"
Kelly truly is doing a lot of things right if there are people who are selfishly trying to pull her down. Success can breed jealousy, and the higher you rise, the harder those individuals try to pull you down.
This, however, doesn't seem to bother the American grappling talent as she uses this as motivation to succeed even more.
Danielle Kelly recalls a time when she almost quit jiu-jitsu
Though detractors and haters fail to demotivate Danielle Kelly, it seems that other factors in her personal life can. At least it used to be that way.
In an interview with ONE Championship, the Silverfox BJJ athlete recalled a time when she contemplated quitting the sport:
"There definitely was a time, I think I was barely 21. And, you know, at such a young age, even before then, I had like, sick parents, my dad was very sick. So he was the main reason, he's my motivation. He's the one who brought me into the sport. Even before I did jiu-jitsu, like, I did, like, some karate before. But like, he's the sole reason, he wanted me to get involved and stay busy with jiu-jitsu."
Kelly continued:
"So after he passed, you know, I was kind of with my mom at the time and I was graduating from high school. I was a new graduate and I was trying to get into college. And you know, I lose my mom and it kind of like, all fell down to like, what am I going to do with my life, kind of talk. And, yeah, I was pretty lost at a young age. So I felt like jiu-jitsu at that time was kind of holding me back in a way. I couldn't put the focus I wanted to put on jiu-jitsu. So I took almost a year off and looking back, I wish I didn't, because I feel like I probably would have accomplished more."
Losing a loved one can truly make someone lose interest in anything they're pursuing, no matter how important it may seem. Despite this, however, Danielle Kelly pushed forward and is now one of the best in the sport today.
