Tito Carle’s Road to Gold - IBJJF EURO CHAMPIONSHIPS

Sydney’s own Tito Carle put on a jaw-dropping display in Rome, capturing the ultra-heavyweight title at the 2025 IBJJF European No-Gi Championship. BJJ Heroes was quick to praise his performance, noting the “ultra-heavyweight Tito Carle, of Australia” and calling him “forward-moving, submission-oriented, and well-rounded”. In a field stacked with veteran grapplers and rising stars, Carle fought through the bracket and emerged with gold (listed in the official results as +97 kg – Tito Carle (AUS). His victory was met with national pride – Carle became the first Australian-born man ever to win a black belt division at the European Championship, a milestone moment for Australian jiu-jitsu.

Overcoming Adversity

Carle’s journey to the podium wasn’t easy. Earlier in his career he suffered a severe back injury that sidelined him for an extended period. Months of rehabilitation and gradual return to training followed. Rather than derail his dreams, the injury only fueled his determination. By 2025, he was back to full strength, sharper and hungrier than ever. Friends and coaches watched in awe as he rebuilt his technique and confidence, proving that “no mountain is too high” – even a crippling injury – for a champion with his work ethic and grit.

Conquering the Ultra-Heavy Bracket

When the competition began in Rome, Carle hit the mat with intensity. His path to gold was impressive:

Quarterfinal: Carle submitted Finland’s Heikki Jussila with a kneebar – a finish observers called “clinical” for its precision.
Semifinal: He then turned on the pressure against France’s Mikael Eric, using a kata-gatame (scarf-hold pin) to neutralize Eric and advance.
Final: In the championship match, Carle faced Greece’s Alexander Sak. It turned into a tactical battle under IBJJF rules, but Carle’s control and defence earned him a 2–0 points decision to clinch the gold.

Each match showcased Carle’s trademark aggression and smooth transitions. He never backed down from attacks, constantly wrestling for dominant positions. The crowd felt the intensity of every exchange – he attacked leg locks, swept opponents, and locked in submissions. His undefeated run through the bracket – culminating in that final decision win – underscored just how well he brought his aggressive, submission-based style into the IBJJF points system.

Mastering a New Rule Set

Interestingly, Carle had been training heavily under ADCC-style no-gi rules for the past year, which emphasize submissions and high-paced wrestling. Many expected that shifting back to the IBJJF point-based rules (with its stricter rules on grips and leg attacks) would be a challenge. Instead, Carle adapted flawlessly. His ADCC experience made him fearless on the mat, and he simply applied those skills to IBJJF competition.

In fact, just months before the Euros, Carle showed his ADCC pedigree by earning a podium spot in the 2023 ADCC Asia & Oceania Trials – 3rd place in the +99 kg division. (BJJ Eastern Europe even listed him among the “ADCC Trials medalists” for that event. That success against some of the toughest no-gi grapplers in the region gave him confidence. But IBJJF tournaments reward positional control and tactics differently. Carle proved he could blend both worlds: his sweeping and takedowns (attributes honed under ADCC rules) set him up for the submissions and passes that scored under IBJJF rules. By the end of the weekend, it was clear – the rule set was no obstacle to his talent. He’d mastered the IBJJF game just as effectively.

A Historic Victory for Australia

Across Australia, Tito Carle’s triumph is being celebrated as a true breakthrough. Never before had a man born in Australia stood atop the podium at the European Championship’s black-belt divisions. Carle changed that on this trip to Italy. His gold medal was greeted with cheers from teammates and fans back home – it’s a beacon of pride for Australian jiu-jitsu. Veteran coach Keller Locke-Sodhi (a Sydney-based grappling legend himself) called Carle a “rising standout” in the scene, and now that promise has been fulfilled on one of the sport’s biggest stages.

More than medals, Carle has given younger Australians a vision of what’s possible. He’s shattered ceilings: a grappler from Sydney with an injury comeback, proving he can beat elite global competition. His story – from rehab mat to champion – has inspired many to push through their own setbacks. In every interview afterwards, Carle praised his teammates and country, reminding everyone he carries Australian hopes with every bout.

The Legacy Continues

Tito Carle’s European Championship gold is not just a personal triumph – it’s a statement. It shows that hard work, resilience, and an unbreakable will can overcome any obstacle (even a crushed spine and months of pain). He out-grappled and out-classed a tough ultra-heavyweight field, adapting his game to IBJJF rules and showing that Australian grapplers belong at the top. Moving forward, Carle has even bigger goals (Worlds, ADCC qualification, and more superfights), but for now he basks in this achievement. As he returns home, Australia can proudly say: we have a European champion.

Tito Carle’s victory has already become part of BJJ lore down under. His journey from severe injury to European gold – all while blazing a trail as the first Australian-born man to do so – fills fans with admiration. This is a milestone moment for the sport in Australia, and Carle has earned every bit of the honour and praise coming his way. We look forward with pride as “the Milkman” keeps pouring out victories on the mats.