Malta has struck gold at the 2025 Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE), with Jessica Vella delivering the nation’s first top podium finish in the karate Kata event.

The 40th anniversary edition of the GSSE opened on Monday evening with a spectacular ceremony at the Andorra National Stadium, celebrating Andorran heritage through displays of folklore and culture. The event featured mythical Tamarros; forest guardians from local legend  and Water Women, spirits of Andorra’s lakes and springs. The Games Cauldron was lit by two Andorran Olympians from the Paris 2024 Games, officially launching a week of sporting competition.

Team Malta, comprising 108 athletes, is competing alongside around 1,000 athletes from nine European microstates across 12 disciplines, running until Saturday, 31 May.

Leading Malta in the athletes’ parade were tennis player Francesca Curmi and athlete Jared Micallef. Their presence marked a strong start to Malta’s campaign, which gained significant momentum thanks to Vella’s outstanding performance.

Vella dominated the Kata event, going unbeaten throughout the tournament. After topping Group B, she secured convincing victories in both the semi-final and final to earn Malta’s first gold medal of the Games.

Her triumph sets a promising tone for the Maltese contingent, which is aiming to surpass its best-ever result in an overseas GSSE. The current benchmark stands at eight gold medals, achieved in the 2011 edition held in Liechtenstein.

With Vella’s win, Team Malta moves one step closer to rewriting history.