By Shelby Brooks
Abbie and Ellie McIntosh share more than just DNA.
The identical twins, in Grade 1 at Beaconhills College in Pakenham, also share a talent for Brazilian jiu jitsu.
Abbie and Ellie both placed on the podium in the seven-year old, under 30.2kg division at the Victorian Jiu Jitsu State Championships over the weekend.
Abbie took home the gold, while sister Ellie took the silver.
The sisters only took up the sport at the start of 2021 and the State Championships was their first competition.
Mum Leesa said the girls had to fight each other for the championship, which she said was hard to watch.
“Abbie got Ellie to submit,“ Leesa said.
Ellie prefers fighting someone else rather than her sister, but said she liked the sport because it was “strong and fun“.
Abbie said it was “exciting“ to compete at the championships and also found it “fun“.
The girls train four times a week and have a grey belt ranking.
“We started them in jiu jitsu for self defence initially,“ Leesa said.
“They just love it and they want to do it. It’s good to see they have that drive.“
Dad Brett said he was “so proud“ of his daughters and loved how the sport taught them respect and gave them confidence.
“It’s helped with their confidence and coordination. They were tripping over their own feet when they started,“ he said.
The sisters train at SD Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Pakenham with coach Silvano (Sam) Chaves.
“For me, it’s a huge achievement for the girls,“ Sam said of the wins.
“You can see their talent and how the family works as one to achieve such a result.“
