"I wanted to stick with jiu-jitsu" - Danielle Kelly says becoming champion was the perfect tribute to deceased father
Danielle Kelly knows her old man would have wanted nothing more than for her to continue pursuing greatness in 'The Gentle Art'.
The American BJJ standout has constantly given all praise to her late father, who served as the guiding presence and inspiration throughout her grappling career.
While Kelly believes she could not repay the sacrifices her father made just for her to be able to train jiu-jitsu, she made sure to honor his memory the best way she could.
After spilling countless blood, sweat, and tears on the mats, Kelly certainly made her dad proud by becoming the inaugural ONE atomweight submission grappling world champion.
During her guest appearance on The Few Will Hunt Show on YouTube, Danielle Kelly admitted that she considered quitting BJJ multiple times.
However, the Silver Fox BJJ stayed the course and powered through, knowing she still had her father guiding her every step of the way.
"That's like a long timeline. I didn't start thinking that until it [felt] weird. I knew I wanted to stick with jiu-jitsu after my dad passed. I'm trying to go through a timeline. So sixth grade to ninth grade, my dad was still around. And then sophomore year, I had to go to a new school. It was just me and my mom and my brother."
Here's the interview in its entirety:
Danielle Kelly says BJJ is the perfect therapy
Regardless of any hardships she endures in her personal life, Danielle Kelly could always look at grappling as her constant escape from it all.
"Anyone who signs up in jiu-jitsu, everyone needs that kind of burst of energy. People use it as therapy," she added.
Kelly will make her way back to the ring this coming August 2 in the co-main event of ONE Fight Night 24: Brooks vs Balart on Prime Video.
The atomweight submission grappling queen will defend her throne for the first time against nine-time IBJJF world champion Mayssa Bastos.
ONE Fight Night 24 will air live in US Primetime on August 2 from Bangkok's legendary Lumpinee Stadium. The full event is free for Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.