For the first time ever, four Maltese martial artists took part in the European Jiu-Jitsu International Open in Lisbon, Portugal.
Over 1,800 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners from every corner of the globe competed in this event, one of the top BJJ competitions in Europe and the third largest after the World Jiu-Jitsu Championships and the Brazilian Championships.
The Maltese team was composed of Tyrone Camilleri, Jozua Curmi, Michelle Zarb and instructor Keith Darmanin.
Taking part in the adult female, 53.5kg white belt class, Zarb gave an excellent account of herself. In her opening match against a Brazilian athlete from Gracie Humaita, Zarb scored several points before making her opponent surrender by applying a tight choke from the back.
Zarb beat a French competitor in her second match to progress to the final where she came up against a tough Polish opponent. Once again, Zarb managed to compile points early in the match and defended well against all attempts made by her rival.
After six minutes of non-stop action, Zarb had her arm raised and declared European champion in her category. She is the first Maltese athlete to win a competition organised by the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF), the largest BJJ federation in the world.
Camilleri and Curmi contested the adult -70kg white belt category which had a field of 53 competitors. After prevailing in his first match, Camilleri lost his second-round bout by points. Curmi, who normally competes in the -64kg, produced a good performance but lost his first match on points.
Meanwhile, Darmanin, the BJJ Malta Instructor, figured in the master -70kg blue belt category where he encountered an American competitor coached by Andrè Negao, one of the top BJJ Brazilian coaches.
The match was quite balanced with Darmanin’s opponent gaining minimal points midway through the match. Darmanin attacked with a wonderful combination of techniques but lost by a narrow margin.
In a statement, BJJ Malta said that the high-level competition in Lisbon showed that, although this sport is relatively new to our country, the technical standard is improving rapidly.
Darmanin introduced Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu here at the beginning of last year after becoming the first Maltese to be awarded a blue belt by Rogerio Olegario, head coach of League Jiu-Jitsu Italy.
More information may be obtained at www.bjjmalta.com.