When you first meet Rebecca Dyke of Tillsonburg, she’s polite and soft spoken. However, you soon learn that a fierce competitor is hiding behind that façade. One of six children she is no stranger to conflict. A word of warning, if she was your sister, you might think twice before getting in a fight with her. Rebecca is set to represent Canada at the World Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) Championship in Greece this October. What makes this even more extraordinary is Rebecca only began training three years ago, when she was drawn to BJJ for its reputation and effectiveness in self-defense.
Despite no BJJ club in Tillsonburg, Rebecca would not be deterred. She trains primarily in St. Thomas and London at Bowen Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, driving 45 minutes each way to pursue her passion. Additionally, BJJ is known for being male-dominated, and she often finds herself the only woman in her class.
Rebecca’s journey started in September 2021, and she has shown remarkable dedication from the beginning. Her commitment paid off when she placed second in her weight class at the Canadian Nationals in Toronto, earning her a spot on Team Canada. Now training under a national head coach in the Greater Toronto Area, Rebecca will compete in the U-21 division on the world stage. As she prepares for the toughest competition of her career, we asked Rebecca what the goal for her first international competition is?
Rebecca trains 4-6 days a week, but not all of it is grappling on the mats. Rebecca also puts in time at Lightweight Gym in Tillsonburg. She works out there with trainers on weights, cardio, and conditioning. She finds this additional strength training very valuable and Lightweight Gym has even become a sponsor of her trip to Greece.
Rebecca went on to say besides being fun, BJJ has built her confidence and helps manage stress, making it a valuable pursuit for any young person looking to take up the sport.
Rebecca must pay her own way to represent Canada at Worlds. She has raised about $6,000 with community support, including a fundraiser that took place at Courtland Bakery. Rebecca is very thankful for all the support Norfolk County has shown her. She encourages anyone interested in following or supporting her journey to visit her website or her Instagram.
Written by Jeremy Hall