Rochdale MP Paul Waugh has met with the Perez brothers — Andrew, Colin and Ethan — to congratulate them on their extraordinary achievements in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which have seen them win major titles on both national and international stages.
The brothers, who train at gyms across Greater Manchester and Calderdale including RIO Grappling in Rochdale, proudly showed Paul their impressive collection of medals and trophies during a recent visit.
Thirteen-year-old Andrew Perez, the eldest of the three, has had a remarkable summer of competition.
On 20 July 2025, he won gold at the IBJJF Los Angeles Summer Kids International Open.
Just days later, on 25 July, he became a World Champion at the IBJJF World Championships in Florida.
And on 29 August, he struck gold again at the Jiu-Jitsu Con Kids International in Las Vegas — the biggest youth jiu-jitsu tournament in the world.
Throughout these tournaments, Andrew proudly represented Rochdale and the UK on podiums across the United States, raising the flag in front of international crowds. His brothers Colin (12) and Ethan (10) are also champions in their own right, with titles at national and European level, making the Perez family a powerhouse of young talent.
Paul Waugh MP said:
“Andrew, Colin and Ethan are an inspiration — not just to other young athletes, but to the whole community. Their incredible dedication, discipline and sportsmanship are a credit to Rochdale. To win titles at European, British and World level is extraordinary, and I was delighted to meet them and hear about their journeys.”
Behind their success is years of hard work and perseverance. Andrew, who started training at the age of seven, overcame early setbacks and bullying to rise to the top of his sport. He now trains seven days a week at clubs including Predators MMA and BJJ Academy in Manchester and Judo Excellence in Hebden Bridge, with strong support from his family and local community.
Andrew’s achievements have inspired his younger brothers to follow in his footsteps. Between them, the Perez brothers hold titles including European Champion, British Champion, and World Champion, bringing international recognition to Rochdale’s sporting talent.
Paul added:
“It’s fantastic to see young people from Rochdale representing our borough and our country on the world stage. We should all be very proud of what they’ve accomplished, and I can’t wait to see what they achieve next.”