Newaza Podcast; Episode 5: Kristina Barlaan

Kristina Barlaan is a 2nd degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Caio Terra, having also trained extensively with Gustavo Dantas. Widely regarded as one of her generation’s main light-featherweight competitors, Barlaan’s reputation was earned through important wins in some of the sport’s prime tournaments, particularly in the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation circuit, where she won Asian, European and Pan American titles in the 118 lbs weight division.

Kristina’s main achievements at black belt include:

• IBJJF American National No-Gi Champion (2015)
• IBJJF American National Championship 3rd Place (2015 Absolute)
• IBJJF European Open Champion (2016)
• IBJJF Pan American Championship 2nd Place (2016/2017)
• IBJJF Asian Open Champion (2018)

Kristina’s main achievements at colored belts include:

• IBJJF American National No-Gi Champion (2009 Weight and Absolute /2010 blue)
• IBJJF American National No-Gi Championship 3rd Place (2011 Absolute at purple)
• IBJJF American National Championship 3rd Place (2011 Absolute at purple)
• IBJJF American National No-Gi Championship 2nd Place (2011 purple)
• IBJJF American National Championship 2nd Place (2011 purple)
• IBJJF World Championship 2nd Place (2012 Absolute)
• IBJJF Pan American Championship 2nd Place (2012 purple)
• IBJJF World Championship 3rd Place (2010 blue, 2012 purple, 2013/2014/2015 brown)
• IBJJF Pan American Championship 3rd Place (2010 Absolute at blue, 2011 purple, 2013 Absolute at brown)
• IBJJF World No-Gi Championship 2nd Place (2014 brown)
• IBJJF World No-Gi Championship 3rd Place (2013 brown)
• IBJJF American National Champion (2012 purple, 2014 brown)
• IBJJF Pan American Champion (2010 blue, 2013/2014/2015 brown)

Kristina and I had a really good conversation about and mindset and confidence, positional awareness, training with large partners, mount escapes, anxiety and metal health challenges, the “I suck” mentality associated with BJJ, strength training, training challenges faces by women practitioners as well as rolling with the opposite gender.

Kristina can be reached on Instagram at: @kbjiujitsu