SAN ANTONIO — Fierce, tough, smart... and only 8 years old.
Kaylee “The Hispanic Panic” Pena recently won two world championship titles in jiu-jitsu.
Kaylee has been training at Musquiz Jiu Jitsu since she was 3 years old, following the guidance of her impressive teachers, including Owner Jerry Musquiz, a retired SAPD officer, and coaches Nadia Solis and Travis Rendon. The latter two are currently ranked No. 1 in the world in their respective divisions.
“Kaylee is a remarkable person," Musquiz said. "They come from a great family and we’re very lucky to have her. Very proud of her, but she’s very humble as well."
At the end of June, Kaylee was victorious at the Kids Jiu Jitsu World Championship in Fort Worth, walking away with two world titles. Last year, Kaylee took home silver in her weight bracket, bouncing back after being unable to compete the year prior due to illness.
Kaylee often competes against boys and older children, but still manages to bring home the win a majority of the time.
She’s competed in 33 competitions and 47 fights, losing just five times in her young career. But she always manages to get back up, and is undefeated this year.
“It makes me feel excited and proud,” Kaylee said.
Solis describes Kaylee as bubbly and sweet. When the young girl walks onto the mat, however, all of that playfulness fades into the background.
“It’s a lot rougher. She’s always, like, set," Solis said. "You can tell in her eyes that she has a goal. And she just goes out there and she’s aggressive. It’s really cool to see that switch."
Kaylee hasn’t taken a loss this year, but if she does falter, her team and coaches are there to lift her spirits.
“Go do your best, try your best, the outcome doesn’t change who you are," Solis said. "It doesn’t change Kaylee as a person, it doesn’t change how much we love her, how much we adore her on our team. It’s just a game. We’re just playing a game and somebody’s going to win and somebody’s going to lose."
Kaylee has also received lots of love for her moniker, “The Hispanic Panic.” Several people have even reached out to her family with shirts and merch depicting her beloved nickname.
“The Hispanic Panic” was brought to life during a super fight competition when officials asked for a nickname. Luckily, her father saved the day.
“We needed a name for super fights, so my dad came up with it,” Kaylee said, laughing.
Besides being a beast on the mat, Kaylee is also a collector of academic achievements.
She attends Burke Elementary School’s gifted and talented program, and has received countless academic awards. She's even won an art scholarship from UTSA.
When she’s not on the mat dominating her opponents or at Musquiz Jiu Jitsu practicing, Kaylee can be found playing volleyball, basketball or reading.
For more information on Musquiz Jiu Jitsu, or if you’re interested in learning martial arts, click here.
