They did it once in 2023, and now they’ve done it again! Malta’s very own Avant-Garde Brazilian Jiujitsu team has been named Best Team out of 114 at the AJP Tour Italy National Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2025 in Milan, marking the second time they’ve brought home this incredible achievement.
Brazilian Jiujitsu may not be Malta’s most mainstream sport, but this team is certainly putting the island on the map. Competing against some of the world’s top academies, including Gracie Barra, Cicero Costha, and Checkmat, Avant-Garde Malta became the only non-Italian team to take the top honour, earning a staggering 34,000 points through a full-team effort.
As the team proudly shared, ‘They said the first time could’ve been luck… so we did it again to prove them wrong.’
Head Coach Thomas was at the heart of the win, leading the competition classes, boosting morale, and pushing every athlete to give their all. He even competed alongside his brother, and both dominated their divisions with a 100% submission rate (four fights, four finishes each!), both sealing their wins with spectacular crucifix submissions.
From a small island in the Mediterranean to the top of Europe’s Jiujitsu stage, Avant-Garde Malta continues to make history!
Well done to the entire team!