Spirit Combat was introduced in Malta by Kancho Adrian Axisa. The first session took place on Monday 7th October 1985 where it was held at the Safari Sanctuary at Sliema. Over 80 students attended the first session, resulting that due to lack of space some students could not participate and had to watch history being made. To cope with the number of students Kancho Adrian had to open another club on the 5th November 1985 (less then a month from the Foundation of Spirit Combat). 12 months later another club was opened in Gozo and 3 months later another one was opened in Rabat. On the 27th January 1987 another club was opened at Hal Qormi. Other clubs were opened in both Paola and Sliema. During this time regular visits were being done, by Soke Brain Dossett and his senior instructors, to see the progress and to advice our local SCI black belts.

Being a new martial art on a small island the beginning was quite difficult for SCI. Many problems were encountered and had to be overridden for our martial art to become accepted together with the other martial arts. Luckily for us Kancho Axisa and his senior students did not give up, it is thanks to them that now we can enjoy SCI as we do every week in many different clubs on our islands. Today, on our islands, we have seven dojos, totaling about two-hundred regularly students. Spirit Combat was also the first Martial Arts association to be officially recognized by the Maltese School of Sport (Skola Sport) sanctioned by the Ministry of The Youths and Arts.

Kancho Adrian Axisa showing a technique with second in command Master Gerard Vassallo

In the year 2000 the Maltese SCI has celebrated 15 birthdays on the Maltese islands. In all this time it has grown from strength to strength. We have seen the openings of new clubs and the enrolling of new students. Competitions and seminars being added to the local activity calendar including also international instructors and guests. In fact we usually have an association activity every month. From an unknown martial art SCI has grown to be one of the most widely practiced sports in our country. SCI is also regularly being thought in both government and private schools.