raised of $9,500 USD goal
Giving is better together! Your share could raise over $77.
https://www.launchgood.com/v4/campaign/road_to_2018_masters_world_champion
“Whoever guides someone to goodness will have a reward like the one who did it.”
— Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
Impact: Dallas, TX
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This campaign will collect all funds raised by August 26, 2018 at 4:45 AM EDT
I want to make history and do my part in changing the world for the better.
But I cannot do this alone.
I need your help.
My name is Zana Nachawati. I am a Muslim woman of Lebanese and Syrian descent - but a full-blooded Texan at heart. I am 29 years old and train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu while wearing the Hijab.
Through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu I found my opportunity to create the absolute best version of myself. It is a physically and mentally challenging sport. This is known to anyone who’s ever put on a gi and tied a belt. But what surprised me, was that BJJ also challenged me to find new levels of emotional strength to overcome unexpected obstacles that came with being a woman in a predominantly male sport, and a person proud of their faith, family, and culture. I would be lying if I said my journey began with such profound meanings intended; I honestly started training because I wanted to get in better shape! But with time, after continuing to push through countless stumbles and struggles along the way, I realized I finally found my calling. As a result, I am currently the only internationally-ranked female Muslim Hijabi in the state of Texas who actively competes through the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF).
Enough about me, here’s where YOU come in! I researched all the winners from the Masters Worlds tournament from 2012 to 2017. The Masters Worlds tournament is arguably the most prestigious tournament in the world for BJJ-competitors 30 years of age and older. After looking up all the previous world champions I noticed one thing - no one from that list wears the Hijab. My goal is to be the first, with your help! I want to represent all Hijabi athletes as their 2018 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu world champion. I want to be the role model for girls and show them that with enough dedication, and the humility to ask for help, they can achieve anything they set their minds to. 2018 is the year I am eligible to participate in the Masters Worlds competition. So far, the tournament is projected to have over 6,000 competitors! I am humbly asking for your help to conquer this mountain! My plan for preparation is to train for- and compete in tournaments all over the U.S. every month leading up to the big one!
I don’t have a big name yet, but I train from my heart and always give it my all. Jiu Jitsu is everything to me. It has helped me through some of the toughest moments of my life. I can proudly say it has saved me and continues to shape me into the person I now strive to be. I am currently working on establishing my social media presence to have a place for my supporters to follow me through the ups and downs of my journey, all the way leading up to our victory! Please check out my pages in the links below.
Apart from donations, I would also gladly accept sponsorships to help market businesses of all shapes and sizes! I can have custom patches sewn onto my gi (Jiu Jitsu uniform), gear bags, jackets, t-shirts, hoodies, sweatpants, or socks for everyone to see and help market your company in exchange for your invaluable support! I would also market your products and services on all my social media accounts as well!
Donations and sponsorships will help cover expenses such as travel, lodging, training, nutrition, and tournament fees to ensure Team Zana is fully prepared to win the 2018 Masters World Title!
The Jiu Jitsu community is one big family. We help each other succeed, push each other to improve, and I want my world title to be your opportunity to be a part of this amazing family!
Giving is better together! Your share could raise over $77.
https://www.launchgood.com/v4/campaign/road_to_2018_masters_world_champion
“Whoever guides someone to goodness will have a reward like the one who did it.”
— Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
Raheem Payton
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BIG EXCITING NEWS!!
Eid Mubarak to all of my family, friends, and everyone celebrating today!!
I am very happy to share some exciting news with you all!! So I f you haven’t already heard the BIG news....well....here it is!!
Today is the big day!! I have been blessed with the opportunity to go to San Diego to train at ATOS HQ in preparation for Masters Worlds!!! I will spend my time there training and preparing for my shot at a 2018 IBJJF Masters World Title!!!
I am so blessed and thankful for the opportunity to make this happen. Firstly, This wouldn’t be possible without my amazing sponsors @fnlawfirm @spireathletes @claytonjonesimaging, and my jits family and 360jiujitsu teammates, and of course MY AMAZING FAMILY for supporting me on this journey to make history, and follow my dreams and passion with this! In addition to everyone who has donated to my funding campaign!! You will all be a HUGE part to ensuring I am able to have a successful training camp there, to secure that Masters World Title, and Make History!!
Make sure you Keep an eye out on my YouTube page for upcoming videos of my training camp at ATOS HQ - the BEST Academy and Team in the WORLD!!!! 🔥💪🏻🙌🏻🙏🏻♥️
THANK YOU ALL AGAIN FOR ALL OF YOUR CONTUNUED SUPOORT!!
Newest Sponsorship!
Hello Team Zana Supoorters!!
I am Happy to Announce my newest sponsorship with the Spire Athletes team!! I can’t wait to get my patch on my competition gi and represent! Thank you Bo Montier for the opportunity to be a part of the family and for your continued support!! Bo will be covering the costs of signing up to participate in this years Masters Worlds Competition, where I will have my shot at winning a Masters World Title and being the first Muslim Hijabi from Texas and possibly the USA to do so! Make sure you like their Facebook page to keep up with exciting news and awesome gear to come! 🙌🏻 I have link to the page listed below!
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“The greatest rewards come when you give of yourself. It's about bettering the lives of others, being part of something bigger than yourself, and making a positive difference.”
-Nick Vujicic
#spireathletes #jiujitsufamily #jiujitsujourney #jiujitsumotivation #athletessupportingathletes #roadtomastersworldchampion2018 #jiujitsuhijabi #hijabiathlete #aspire #Perspire #Inspire
https://www.facebook.com/SpireAthletes/
Thank you all for your continued support and believing in me! I am so honored and blessed to be able to share this journey with you all! I have some VERY exciting news coming up after Ramadan! I cannot wait to share with you all ♥️
Dallas Open 2018
Dallas Open 2018 was filled with many challenges that were conquered!
No matter what happens, KEEP GOING....Second place in my division and again in the Open Class. I had a great experience, and overcame a lot of person obstalces.....making weight was the first challenge, and I crushed it!! That was my biggest challenge in the week leading up to this,and I am so proud of myself, weighed in 2 pounds under! E
verything else that came with the experiences I gained from my fights were bonus and I have some great studying material! Although this wasnt the outcome I wanted, I am proud for always going out there and facing my fear of competing. My recurring thesem this year is "Finding comfort in the uncfomfortable" it never gets easier but I will NEVER give up trying! I know there is someone out there who needs to see this, or may have seen me stepping on the mats to compete, and gets motivated to do the same! I will always hope to inspire everyone around me! Thank you to everone that continually supports my journey and passion with this! It is only a mattter of time before I make it to the top of the podium!
Sending a big thank you to everyone who has contributed to campaign! I am so thanful to all of you for beliveing in me and being a part of this incredible journey to Masters World Champion 2018!!! Love you all so very much!!!
Pan-American Championship 2018
March was a fun filled exciting month! I had the opportuniy to participate in the IBJJF Pan American Championship in California! Thanks to everyone who donated for making this possible! I had some very tough matches, and walked away a Silver Pan Ams Medalist! It was an amazing experience of a lifetime and I am so thankful to everyone for donating to help make this happen! This is only the beginning! Waves are being made and I am proud to say that I fought my heart out there! Hard work pays off when you put your heart, blood, sweat, and tears into it and you have the right people in the right places to help you along the way! We made history that day and will continue to do so as I prepare for Masters Worlds 2018! I am so honored to be able to share this with you all! I will have the videos of my matches listed on my youtube page for you to see!
Houston Open 2018 Results!
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
--Theodore Roosevelt
Won my First Match 3-0 but came up short in the Semi-Finals and got 3rd place at Houston Open 2018!!! This was a huge learning experience and full packed event. I had a wonderful time representing for not only my Team 360 Jiujitsu/ ATOS Grand Prairie but for the Muslim Females who are striving to make waves in the athletic world and submitting the stigma! Thank you to my sponsor at Fears Nachawati LawFirm for your continued support!! Thank you to everyone who helped me prepare for this and to everyone for all of your support to my campaign fund! We are making big waves in the Jiujitsu Scene and I am so proud! Love you all!! Next up is PANS!
Atlanta Open 2018 Results!
My first IBJJF tournament of 2018 is in the books! Atlanta Winter Open I will never forget this experience!
After losing a tough round and placing 3rd in my weight class, I came back with a raging fire 
🔥 and fought my way back to the podium in the open class! I had three tough matches and I couldn’t be more proud of myself with my performance. I walked away with two shiny bronze medals and some great studying material to use in preparation for Houston Open! Thank you to my sponsor at @fnlawfirm for the support!
Also thank you to @habroksports for hooking me up with my fnlawfirm patches for my Gi’s! And to @monkeytape For providing the BEST tape out there for my Jits fingers!! To withstand the battles on the mats! I’m Gonna need to restock soon!
In addition to everyone who has donated to my funding campaign, and helped me prepare for this tournament on and off the mats, we are one tournament closer to Masters Worlds and making history!!!
“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” —Nelson Mandela
Tested Fight- Photo Shoot Success!
Hello Everyone!
I had the pleasure of working with a very good friend of mine, Jesse Reyes. to bring his vision of the passion in my heart to life in a heartfelt photo shoot!! Let me tell you, the obstacles we faced and overcame made the pictures WORTH every bit of it! The anthem says it all!
"Tested Fight is anthem for all those who have had to fight beyond their limits, overcome many obstacles and have had to endure many trials to pursue their goals. It has been said that before you give your testimony, there must first be a test."
Overall it was a complete success and I couldn't be happier with how amazing the pictures turned out!
I have listed a link below to his facebook page where the pictures are featured!
https://www.facebook.com/TestedFight/
Thank you all for your continued support!
Atlanta Open 2018
Hi everyone!
http://ibjjf.com/championship/atlanta-winter-international-open-jiu-jitsu/
Giving is better together! Your share could raise over $77.
https://www.launchgood.com/v4/v4/campaign/road_to_2018_masters_world_champion
“Whoever guides someone to goodness will have a reward like the one who did it.”
— Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
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Giving is better together! Your share could raise over $77.
https://www.launchgood.com/v4/campaign/road_to_2018_masters_world_champion
“Whoever guides someone to goodness will have a reward like the one who did it.”
— Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
