Maltese Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Team Wins Italian National Championship

BJJ Malta  Avant-Garde  has once again put the island on the international map. On Sunday, October 5th, at the AJP Italian National Championship in Milan, the Maltese Brazilian Jiu Jitsu team claimed the prestigious Best Team Trophy, beating over 114 teams and 800 competitors from across Europe, Brazil, and the UAE.

This is the second time in two years that Avant-Garde BJJ has won the Italian Nationals — first in 2023, and now again in 2025. Even more impressively, Avant-Garde remains the only non-Italian team to have ever achieved this feat.

Historic Achievement for BJJ Malta

Over 45 athletes representing Malta stepped onto the mats in Milan, bringing home an incredible medal haul:

• 🥇 16 Gold

• 🥈 18 Silver

• 🥉 7 Bronze

Thanks to these results, Malta was ranked among the Top 3 nations out of more than 60 countries represented at the championship – a remarkable achievement for a small Mediterranean island.

These victories confirm Avant-Garde BJJ as one of the strongest academies in Europe and a driving force in the growth of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Malta.

Leadership and Black Belt Success

The team is led by Belgian twin brothers Thomas and David Vander Eecken, who moved to Malta seven years ago. In that short time, they have built Avant-Garde BJJ into one of Europe’s most successful academies.

Both Thomas and David also competed in Milan, dominating their brackets and winning gold in their respective black belt Gi and No-Gi divisions – even closing out both finals together.

Coach’s Statement

Head Coach Thomas Vander Eecken said:

“Coming from a small island of just 600,000 people, most would already celebrate a third, fourth, or fifth place in sports. But in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu — one of the fastest-growing sports in the world and the very foundation of the UFC — we’ve now taken the national title of another country for the second time in two years. While other nations have millions of inhabitants, Malta stands on top. This proves we are not only competing — we are winning at the highest international level.”

About the AJP Circuit

The Abu Dhabi Jiu Jitsu Pro (AJP) tour is one of the premier international BJJ circuits, attracting elite athletes from all over the world. With top-level competitors representing countries such as Brazil, the UAE, and almost every nation in Europe, winning an AJP National Championship is a huge achievement for any academy.

For a team from Malta not only to top the podium against Europe’s biggest BJJ affiliations but also to place the country in the Top 3 nations worldwide is nothing short of historic.

Learn More About BJJ in Malta

Avant-Garde BJJ continues to grow the sport locally while competing – and winning – at the highest international levels. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced martial artist, Avant-Garde offers world-class instruction, a strong community, and the chance to be part of Malta’s most successful combat sports team.

👉 Visit www.avantgardebjj.com to learn more about training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Malta.