Hollywood actress Sydney Sweeney has revealed an unexpected athletic side to her background. She claims that she won grappling tournaments during her teenage years.
In a recent interview with W Magazine, the Euphoria star opened up about her diverse athletic pursuits growing up, which included an impressive stint in competitive grappling.
“My parents also got me into grappling and kickboxing. Grappling is like wrestling,” Sweeney explained during the interview. She trained at a dojo called Gokore Highest from age 13 until she was about 18 or 19 years old, making her the only girl in what was otherwise a male-dominated environment.
The actress’s competitive spirit shone through as she described her tournament experiences: “I had a few grappling tournaments, which were a lot of fun. I have a few ribbons. I fought all guys.”
Sweeney’s athletic background wasn’t limited to grappling. Her mother encouraged her to “fall in love with as many things as possible,” leading Sydney to participate in skiing, wakeboarding, slalom skiing, soccer, and softball. This diverse athletic foundation appears to have shaped her approach to taking on challenging roles in her acting career.
The grappling experience has proven valuable beyond just personal achievement. When discussing her preparation for playing boxer Christy Martin, Sweeney noted how her athletic background helped her embrace the physical demands of the role. “I had been searching for a character that would enable me to use this athletic version of myself,” she said.
Her combat training has also given her confidence in practical situations. When asked about self-defense, Sweeney confidently stated, “So, you could kill someone. If they kidnap you, they’re in trouble. I would like to think that if went down, I might be able to step up.”
The actress’s athletic achievements highlight how her diverse background continues to inform her career choices. She is ready for physically demanding roles that allow her to showcase skills developed long before she became a household name.
