An immigration issue has forced Belgian brown belt Amal Amjahid out of the upcoming 2018 IBJJF World Championships.

The 2018 IBJJF European champion and World Pro champion was flying from her native Belgium to Long Beach, California via London.

While at immigration control in Heathrow airport Amjahid's stepfather Houry Khalid, who is also her life-long martials arts coach, was denied entry to the United States of America and not allowed to board the connecting flight to the U.S.

Amjahid in action at the European Championships.

Amjahid, who along with Houry has visited the USA over six times, decided to return to her home in Brussels.

"Leaving without my coach is an unthinkable idea to me as long as we both are on this earth, we will continue our way together," she posted on Facebook. "We do not understand this decision, especially since my father is an integrated person and has no problem with justice, on the contrary he works every day to improve society as best he can in his social investment."

Amjahid, a double gold-medalist at the European Championships two years running who took silver as a brown belt at the 2017 World Championships, has been on a tear this year and was a favorite to win in Long Beach, CA.





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The Belgian grappler is a regular competitor on the international circuit in both jiu-jitsu and grappling tournaments. She is also an ambassador for the organization Play 4 Peace, an organization that uses sport to break down social and cultural barriers.

Born in Belgium and of Moroccan origin, Amjahid trains at the CENS Academy in Brussels, a non-profit gym that offers multi-discipline sporting activities and extra-curricular classes.

Houry have a close relationship and he can always be found mat side as she competes.

“I have never trained anywhere except in my stepfather’s academy.” Amjahid told BJJ Heroes. “My preparation for big events such as the IBJJF Worlds is done throughout the year in my academy with the same training partners, some of whom I know since my youngest age. I have never been to Brazil or the United States to make preparations camps for big events. I trust my coach and his training, he knows my game and knows exactly what kind of training I need.”



