The Maryborough martial artist recently returned from the Brisbane Open with a pair of gold medals in his 10-year-old 28 kilogram division.

In the 14 months that have passed since he started training in jiu jitsu, Stevens has won six gold medals, two silver and four bronze.

His wins in the gi and non-gi in Brisbane came via submission, as did his two fights to qualify for the finals as he made short work of the competition.

The decision to enter the tournament was a spur of the moment one.

Stevens found himself in Queensland on a holiday with his parents and younger brothers and decided to give it a go while doing some training under Australian kickboxing champion John Wayne Parr.

He's glad he did.

Jiu jitsu has become more than just a sport to Stevens, helping him cope with personal issues, including an anxiety disorder.

"I'm normally full of energy and I need something like jiu jitsu to burn out all the sweat and energy," he said.

"It's also helping with my school work."

Training has become a family affair for Stevens, who travels to Bendigo at least three times a week to train under his instructor at the Bendigo Mixed Martial Arts Academy, Richie Ivory.

His dad Matt and six-year-old brother Cruz also train at the academy, which is based at the Fit Republic gym in Golden Square.

Cruz joined his older brother at a Grappling Industries tournament in Melbourne last weekend, where he won gold in gi and no-gi, including a victory over the reigning world champion.

Judd returned from the tournament, held at Coburg Basketball Stadium, with a bronze medal.

Testament to his ability, both of Stevens' silver medals and one of his bronze medals have come via losses to the current world champion in his division, who is based in Sydney.

Ivory said the older Stevens was keen for another tilt at the champion.

"He's a multiple world champion and he competes at every competition, so his goal is to catch him," Ivory said.

"Judd does jiu jitsu and muay thai and would like to one day do MMA, but he's too young for that.

"The first day he came in he was arm-barring people, so he's picking the sport up quicker than anyone I have seen."