Maltese Wrestler Gianni Valletta Wins Prestigious Tournament In Japan

Gianni Valletta, a Maltese wrestler, has become the first European and second foreigner to win the prestigious King of Gate title.

Becoming the 20th champion for the 2025 edition, Gianni won a tournament promoted by Dragon Gate, one of the biggest independent wrestling promoters in the world.

‘I’m usually a person of few words here on socials but this post deserves something different’, wrote Gianni.

‘I can say that finally I can call myself an accomplished professional wrestler and am satisfied with myself’, he wrote.

‘All the sacrifices made through the years, the long days and years away from home, family and friends, the long nights sleeping outside or on the floor of an airport, the thousands of bumps and miles I put my body through, the long list of injuries, the days I was starving because I couldn’t afford food since all the money was invested in traveling to get myself noticed, the fact that it’s almost impossible to have a proper relationship and build a family because I’m always on the road…amongst many others; it was all worth it.’

Gianni thanked his family and close friends for their patience and support these past 15 years, as well as his peers and ‘close brothers in wrestling.’

#MaltaDaily