‘Its discipline and fun training’: Coach Mallari shares secret behind Cagayano Jiu-jitsu fighters’ dominance in Manila BJJ Tournament

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Tuguegarao City, Cagayan – After delivering a medal sweep at the Guam Marianas Pro Manila 2026 Qualifier held on April 25–26 in Quezon City, SMMAFC BJJ Coach Jaycee Mallari highlighted one key factor behind the team’s success.

The team dominated the competition, with Mary Ryan Ramirez earning a gold medal in the Women’s Gi division, Miguel Lim Jr. securing gold in the No-Gi Middleweight Masters division, and Jude Santos Jr. winning gold in the No-Gi Featherweight Masters division.

Meanwhile, Jude Santos III also delivered a standout performance, capturing double gold in both the Gi and No-Gi divisions, further highlighting the growing strength of Cagayan’s jiu-jitsu scene on the national stage.

In an interview with Guru Press Cordillera, Coach Mallari shared their preparations leading up to the tournament, emphasizing a fun and engaging training environment while continuously building the skills of each athlete.

“Nothing really special, we just stick to our regular schedule and follow what we think is working for the team and for each individual. We don't put too much stress on the athletes… We try to make the training environment fun and simple, and make sure that they are learning and building the skills they need for themselves, which I think is the most important,” Mallari said.

Mallari also highlighted what stood out most in his athletes’ performance during the competition, particularly their strong sense of awareness inside the match.

“They showed good awareness. In our sport, the one who is more aware of what's happening usually wins. We are very proud of every single one of them,” Mallari added.

Mallari also shared a message to aspiring BJJ athletes, encouraging them to focus on finding the right environment and staying consistent in their training.

“Find a gym with a great training environment and stay consistent. The combination of these two would enable you to go further,” he added.