Venla Luukkonen

Early life Venla Orvokki Luukkonen was born on 2 March 1984 in Espoo, Finland. Luukkonen received her brown belt from Marko Leisten in 2012, becoming world champion for the first time in 2013 and winning silver again at the 2013 ADCC European Trials. In 2014 she received double gold by winning both heavyweight division and absolute (openweight) at the European Championship. She became the first Finn to win a world championship at black belt level. she also won silver at the European Championship then won bronze at the World Championship fighting under team Hilti BJJ Jyvaskyla. In 2016 and 2017 Luukkonen reached the World Championship and the European Championship finals, winning silver both years. Returning to No-Gi, she won bronze at the 2nd 2017 ADCC European Trials in the + division and was invited to compete at the 2017 ADCC World Championship taking place in Finland that year.

Luukkonen became world champion for the second time in 2018 after her opponent in the final, Tayane Porfírio, was disqualified by the USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) for testing positive for nandrolone, a prohibited substance. In July 2018, competing in grappling at Polaris 7, Luukkonen won a No-Gi match against Samantha Cook via split judges decision.

In addition to the Swedish Open that she won in 2018, Luukkonen won silver at the 2018 European Open. Luukkonen trains in both Finland and Sweden, she represents Hilti Akademi Nord, where she is one of the head instructors. In 2019 she won silver at the World Championship after facing Claudia do Val in the final. In 2019 and 2020 she won bronze at the European Open. In January 2022 Luukkonen won the ADCC Sweden Tournament 8 that took place in Eskilstuna, Sweden, that same year, competing under Grapplingverkstan Örebro IF, she became Swedish champion after winning in September the SBJJF BJJ 2022.

Personal life Luukkonen is married to fellow black belt Hanna Hirvonen.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitive summary Main Achievements at black belt level: 2 x IBJJF World Champion (2018 / 2014) 2 x IBJJF European Champion No-Gi (2015) 2nd place IBJJF European Championship (2018 / 2017 / 2016 / 2015) 2nd place IBJJF World Championship (2019/2017/2016) 3rd place IBJJF World Championship (2015) 3rd place IBJJF European Championship (2020 / 2019)

Main Achievements (Coloured Belts): IBJJF World Champion (2013 brown) 3 x IBJJF European Champion (2014 brown, 2012 purple) 2nd place IBJJF World Championship (2012 purple, 2010 Blue) 3rd place IBJJF World Championship (2011 purple)