Dutch fighter Aafke van Leeuwen has won two bronze medals at The World Games ©TWG

Four-time ju-jitsu world champion Aafke van Leeuwen of The Netherlands has been chosen as the International World Games Association's Athlete of the Month for November.

The Dutch fighter has captured the prestigious prize after winning her fourth and final world title last month before retiring from international competition.

Her success comes after claiming world golds in the women's under-70 kilograms class in 2015, 2017 and 2019.

Van Leeuwen is also a two-time World Games medallist, winning bronze in both the women’s under-70kg division and the mixed team event.


She calls time on her international career at the age of 30.

"I immediately fell in love with the sport and wanted to be like the cool kids with a white 'ninjasuit'," said van Leeuwen.

"Later I also tried ju-jitsu, which I loved even more."

Aside from competition, van Leeuwen's studies led to her becoming a Master in Sports Management.

She also works as a lifestyle manager at Sport Gouda in The Netherlands, where her work aims to help people become more physically active through innovative exercises.