Malta’s campaign at the 20th edition of the Games of the Small States of Europe got off to a spectacular start, as Jessica Vella captured the nation’s first gold medal of the Andorra 2025 Games in impressive fashion.
Competing in the Karate Kata discipline—making its debut at the GSSE—Vella delivered a stunning performance at the Lauesport San Julià Pavilion to edge out Montenegro’s Mila Mrakovic in a tightly contested final. The judges awarded the Maltese athlete a winning score of 39.1 to 37.8, securing a historic victory less than 24 hours after the opening ceremony.
Not only does Vella’s win mark Malta’s first medal of these Games, but it also registers the first-ever gold in Karate since the sport was included in the GSSE programme—making her triumph a landmark moment for both her country and the event.
The path to gold was far from straightforward. Vella overcame Liechtenstein’s Aileen Sprenger and Monaco’s Cécile Orrigo in the preliminary rounds, before producing a composed and technically strong performance in the semi-final to defeat local favourite Maria Ubiergo 38.4 to 36.8.
A product of a proud martial arts lineage, Jessica is the daughter of renowned Maltese sensei Michelle Vella. Her gold medal adds another remarkable chapter to the family’s sporting legacy and signals the emergence of a new generation of Maltese talent on the international stage.
Sports Editor
Veteran Journalist
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