#1: The Iron Taekwondo League Replaces Santa Venera Taekwondo

Malta’s leading Taekwondo academy - Santa Venera Taekwondo (SVT) - has become the Iron Taekwondo League (ITL).

SVT was founded in January 2018 by Gianluca Barbara (Dan IV), Kimberly Barbara (Dan II), and Brian Saliba (V). Together, the trio led a host of high-potential athletes to some of the most spectacular events in World Taekwondo, breaking many local records along the way.

Since 2015, SVT featured in Continental championships, junior and Senior world championships, and countless graded competitions across the continent and beyond. Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Romania, Russia, Serbia, San Marino, South Korea, Tunisia, and the United Kingdom: These are the countries that saw players from the club hit the mat.

Award-Winning Coaches

From 2012 - 2021, national athlete Gianluca Barbara recorded an undefeated national championship run, tallying 10 total wins in all categories till his retirement.

Under head coach Brian Saliba, the two recorded the largest international medal haul, culminating in a historic presence at the 2015 World Championships (Chelyabinsk, Russia). His performances made him the only Taekwondo athlete in Maltese history to be awarded the SPORTMALTA Flexi-training scheme. Along with Kimberly Barbara, the pair were also given Malta Olympic Committee sports awards.

SVT Athletes Made History

Representing SVT, athlete Jaden Cauchi became the first Maltese Junior athlete to hit the podium at a G1 event (Latvia, 2018) after he earned a bronze medal in his respective category on the day.

In addition, Junior SVT athletes Jake Govus and Chloe Vassallo rose to the occasion at the Junior world championships (Tunisia, 2018), becoming two of the first youngsters to feature in the competition.

One SVT member Becomes The Vice-President of World Taekwondo Europe

SVT member Anna Vassallo closely followed how the Malta Taekwondo Federation was not functioning as it should. In the words of World Taekwondo Europe (WTE): “the Federation lacked integrity and good governance.”

In 2017, Vassallo took up the post of Secretary General after the then Secretary General had resigned. Soon after, Anna Vassallo was coopted as President. Her fight for good governance continued, along with her fight for the sport to be truly recognized.

In 2019, Anna Vassallo was appointed by WTE President Sakis Pragalos as the first Female Council Member in World Taekwondo Europe. She was also appointed Interim Chair after the Maltese Federation was suspended together with 3 of its members.

She resigned from Interim Chair to let the investigation process take place but was again elected President with a fresh new Association (the Malta Taekwondo Association).

Her work landed her a role as the first female Vice President in WTE. The highest position in sport in her country.

New Leadership

Come 2021, the administration team that founded SVT resigned from their respective posts, paving the way for german coach Sajad Habibi to continue the club’s vein of form. That year:

1. Two SVT athletes (national players) placed first in an international tournament held in Denmark.

2. One Maltese National Athlete’s Dream was Made Real After Donations Powered His First International Medal abroad.

3. Seven Maltese fighters hit another international tournament in Nis, Serbia, and returned with two gold, two silver, and one bronze medal between them.

4. Three SVT fighters brought home a bag of medals upon their return from the European Taekwondo Championships for the Small States in June 2021.

New Administration Team, Same Results

Coach Sajad Habibi announced his resignation from the club for personal reasons in September 2022. The decision paved the way for a return of SVT’s first founder - Gianluca Barbara.

The team’s first challenge emerged in the form of Malta’s first-ever ranked event (G2): the Small States Invitational Games. On the day, SVT athletes Michela Scerri, Dwayne Micallef and Jean Schembri placed first on the podium. Aly Cassar and Zach Zammit bagged silver and Saydou Diao walked away with a bronze medal.

Leveling Up With the Iron Taekwondo League

After the Small States Championship, a new coaching team comprising of Gianluca and co-coaches Francesco Cini and Ditmir Vodinaj joined forces, thereby facilitating the conversion of SVT into the Iron Taekwondo League.

In the coming weeks, stay tuned for:

1. Revisions in training schedules to include more sessions (at no extra fee).

2. Revisions in the club syllabus.

3. One additional gym to be used by athletes representing the club.

4. New club kits.

5. A major breakthrough as two SVT athletes prepare to represent Malta in the Cadet European Championships in November.