Bicolano fighters shine at 2025 Pan Asian Jiu Jitsu International Open

By Ryan Mostar

MAKATI CITY --- Athletes from the Bicol-based Monitoro BJJ Philippines International team delivered strong performances at the 2025 Pan Asian Gi & No Gi Jiu Jitsu International Open, held at the Ayala Circuit Event Center in Makati City.

Coach Jayson Margallo, a seasoned MMA fighter and BJJ practitioner representing the Philippines, dominated the Male Purple Belt Gi – Master 1 (30+) –76 kg (Light) division, taking home the gold medal. He followed that with a silver finish in the Male No-Gi Purple Belt – Adult –73.5 kg (Light) division, underscoring his versatility across both Gi and No-Gi formats.

Meanwhile, Lucian Maxwell, a promising young competitor also representing the Monitoro team, secured silver in the Juvenile Boys Gi – U18 – White/Blue Belt –69 kg (Middle) division and bronze in the corresponding No-Gi category.

The Pan Asian Open is one of the largest and most competitive Jiu Jitsu tournaments in Asia, drawing hundreds of athletes from across the region and beyond. For Margallo and Maxwell, these wins are not just personal milestones—they represent the growing strength of the Bicolano Jiu Jitsu community on the national and international stage.

“It feels great to win after all the hard work—this was all on us, no outside support,” said Coach Jayson Margallo. “We stuck to the basics, leaned on teamwork, and I’m grateful to my coaches, teammates, and my family.”

While there is yet no confirmed support from local government bodies in Bicol for these athletes, their success calls attention to the need for broader institutional backing, especially for combat sports outside Metro Manila.

With Coach Margallo continuing to lead both on the mat and in the gym, and young fighters like Maxwell on the rise, the Bicol region is making a firm statement: its martial artists aren’t just competing—they’re conquering.