Filipino jiu-jitsu athletes showcased their growing dominance on the international stage, bagging three gold medals at the 2025 Sports Jiu-Jitsu International Federation (SJJIF) World Jiu-Jitsu Championship and No-Gi Championship held over the weekend in Chiba, Japan.

A young Filipino jiu-jitsu artist has just added another feather to her cap as she shone in a tournament in Canada recently.

DEFTAC is set to open a franchise in this city on Saturday, June 28, as part of its bid to expand its reach and share the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, promoting self-defense, discipline, and grit among sports-loving Filipinos.

“I am very excited to open our first DEFTAC Iloilo gym under the DEFTAC Franchise as we have created many national champions, including a 3rd place finish in the World Championship,” said Deftac founder and first Filipino Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt Alvin Aguilar,

“This gym will produce many Champions from Iloilo,” added Aguilar, one of five big figures in the sport who will grace the grand opening of a gym on the third floor of LBS Bldg. on Jalandoni St., Iloilo City.

Bemedalled Jiu-Jitsu artists, including Prof. May Masuda, Aielle Aguilar, Zony Zaldarriaga, and David Zaldarriaga, will witness the grand opening, which regional TV news will cover.

Prof. Masuda is the first Filipino World champion and Asian Beach Games gold medalist. She also holds the distinction of being the first Filipina Black Belter.

Aielle Aguilar, on the other hand, is a three-time Youngest Filipina world champion. Zony Zaldarriaga is the chapter head of Deftac Iloilo, while David Zaldarriaga is a bronze medalist.

A seminar will precede the grand launch at 9 a.m. to be conducted by Chief Alvin, Prof. May, and Aielle Aguilar.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a self-defense system, martial art, and combat sport based on grappling, ground fighting, and submission holds – something that Deftac stakeholders want to impart to as many Filipinos as possible

ANOTHER Filipino warrior will be seeing action in the Manny Pacquiao-Mario Barrios fight card on July 19 as former world champion Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo battles Mexican Jorge Mata Cuellar at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

EUMIR FELIX MARCIAL — one of the country’s top boxing talents — will be returning to the ring alongside the living legend Manny Pacquiao on July 19 as one of the undercards at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

ONE of the most thrilling experiences at Philippine Blockchain Week 2025 (PBW) is set to explode on June 10! Crypto Fight Night and ONCHAIN team up for a high-energy fusion of live boxing and Web3 culture that true boxing fans won’t want to miss. Held at Hall 4 of the SMX Convention Center Manila, this event brings together fighters, blockchain innovators, and digital pioneers.