# Claire North

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## Overview

**Name:** Claire North

**Date of Birth:** February 01, 1993 (age 33)


## Bio

The first female black belt from the State of Iowa, Claire North earned her rank from coach John Gutta in December 2019 after starting BJJ at the University of Iowa’s club. A former competitive soccer player who was denied a spot on her high school wrestling team due to social pressure, she turned to jiu-jitsu for self-defense following an intimidating encounter at work. North later opened Tipping Point BJJ in Cedar Rapids with Gutta, her husband, while balancing a full-time pharmacy career and an engineering degree.

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**Last Updated:** September 24, 2026

**Data Source:** bjj.space (https://bjj.space/people/claire-north)