A woman in Costa Rica, Sol Vargas Garita, gained widespread attention after she used a spontaneous jiu-jitsu-style hold to subdue a man who tried to steal her handbag at a restaurant.
The incident occurred after her night shift and was captured on security footage that quickly went viral on social media.
Despite having no formal martial arts training, Sol instinctively tackled the would-be robber and used her legs to restrain him until police arrived.
She told local media, “My mom said it resembled a jiu-jitsu hold, but honestly I don’t know anything about that—it just happened naturally.”
Sol said she acted to protect her belongings and now plans to study self-defense in the future. The incident sparked online discussions about self-defense, the risks of confronting criminals, and admiration for her bravery.
Ultimately, Sol’s quick thinking prevented the theft, and she was unharmed. Her story has been widely shared as an inspiring example of standing up to crime.
