Franco del Pilar records 28 golds in 13 national and int'l jiu-jitsu competitions

Ateneo de Manila Grade School student athlete Franco del Pilar (5-Tausug) capped an exceptional 2025 competition year with an extraordinary medal haul in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, earned through discipline, consistency, and passion for the sport. Over the course of the year, Franco competed in 13 local and international tournaments across the Philippines, Taiwan, Guam, and Japan, amassing a total of 30 medals—28 gold and 2 silver. His performances also earned him top rankings and an undefeated record in multiple Asian Sport Jiu Jitsu Federation (ASJJF) categories.

2025 Competition Highlights (Chronological)

Franco opened the year in dominant fashion at Combat Sports Week on 17 January 2025, held at Gil Fernando, Marikina, where he collected six gold medals.

He followed this with two gold medals at the ASEAN International Open Championship on 1 February 2025 at Filinvest Mall, Muntinlupa, and another two gold medals at the Cebu Open International Jiu-Jitsu Championship on 2 March 2025 at Gaisano Mall, Cebu City.

On 6 April 2025, Franco secured two gold medals at the Marianas Pro Manila BJJ Championship, also held at Filinvest Mall, Muntinlupa.

The midyear stretch proved equally successful. Franco earned two gold medals at the Queens City International Jiu-Jitsu Championship on 8 June 2025 at Robinsons Mall, Cebu City, followed by two gold medals at the Manila International Jiu-Jitsu Championship on 14 June 2025 at Filinvest Mall, Muntinlupa.

July marked a strong international showing. Franco won three gold medals at the Flipsports International Jiu-Jitsu Open on 19 July 2025 at Gaisano Mall, Cebu City, and went on to claim double gold at the Taiwan International Jiu-Jitsu Championship on 26 July 2025, held at the Taipei XinYi Sports Center in Taiwan.

Continuing his momentum, Franco earned two gold medals at the Manila Jiu-Jitsu Festival on 23 August 2025 at Filinvest Mall, Muntinlupa.

On the world stage, he secured a silver medal at the SJJIF (Sport Jiu Jitsu International Federation) World Jiu-Jitsu Championship on 21 September 2025 held at the Chiba Port Arena in Chiba, Japan.

Franco returned to international competition on 18 October 2025, winning one gold and one silver medal at the Marianas Pro BJJ Championship at the UOG Calvo Fieldhouse in Guam.

He closed the competitive season with two gold medals at the Copa Dumau De Jiu-Jitsu Cebu on 8 November 2025, at G-Mall, Cebu City, and another two gold medals at the Manila Open Jiu-Jitsu Championship on 22 November 2025 at Gateway Mall, Quezon City.

Rankings and Recognition

Alongside his tournament success, Franco finished the year as:
•    Top Ranked PH ASJJF Jiu-Jitsu Kid 4 Grey
•    Top Ranked PH ASJJF No-Gi Kid 4 Grey
•    Top Ranked in Asia ASJJF No-Gi Kid 4 Grey
•    Undefeated in both ASJJF PH Jiu-Jitsu and No-Gi Kid 4 Grey divisions (9–0)

He was also named Youth Competitor of the Year by DEFTAC (which stands for "defense and tactics") Pilipinas for the second time, receiving the 2025 award on 6 December 2025 at Ayala Alabang Country Club. DEFTAC Pilipinas is recognized as the premier and largest Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) team in Asia.  

Franco’s achievements reflect excellence beyond the classroom and stand as a testament to what discipline and perseverance can accomplish at a young age. We congratulate him for embodying grit, humility, and world-class talent throughout an outstanding competitive year.