#13: Alycia Cassar And Michela Scerri Hit President’s Cup In Turkey (G2)

ITL’s Alycia Cassar and Michela Scerri hit the President’s Cup in Turkey (G2) and returned back with one Bronze medal.

The two travelled together with Malta Taekwondo Association President Anna Vassallo and National Coach Ditmir Vodinaj (ITL).

The journey started on a negative note, with thousands dead and tens of thousands injured by the devastating earthquakes that rocked Turkey and Syria on Monday 6th February.

Although strained, the games went on. Albeit, with strict measures pertaining to the safety of all stakeholders of the games.

Michela fought first, narrowly missing out on a win after a close encounter that saw the pair exchange more than a few blows. A 5-9 loss in the first round put Michela’s opponent in an advantage. Come second round, it was but a single punch that separated the two. The second round ended with a 0-1 loss in the second ended the match 0:2.

Alycia fought next. She got the better of her opponent in the first round with a 7-2 score. Come second round, Aly lost with a narrow margin of 3-4. With the two level, it was all to play for in the final round. Alycia matched her athlete with a 3-3 score line, before a gamgeom (foul) saw her opponent score an additional point. The round ended at 3-4, finalising the 1:2 score against Alycia.

Although a loss was sustained, Alycia still managed to hit the podium with a third-placed finish.

The end of the competition was the start of a joint training venture with some of the finest young athletes in the game at the moment.

Together with Coach Ditmir, Alycia and Michela joined a session conducted by coaches Farzad Zolghadri (BUL) and Cagri Kizil (TUR).

It was the experience of a lifetime as athletes from the four corners of the world hit the dojang at of the esteemed Cagri.

The team returned home safely after earthquakes and aftershocks further rocked the country.

Rescuers are now racing against time and the elements to pull survivors out from under debris on both sides of the border. More than 5,700 buildings in Turkey have collapsed, according to the country’s disaster agency.

If you are reading this, you are encouraged to pass on as much support as you can to the struggling victims. Money, ideally. There are many online platforms accepting donations. One such platform can be accessed by clicking here.

Next month, Alycia and Michela Scerri (ITL) will also compete Belgium Open (G2). There, they will be accompanied by Coach Gianluca Barbara and Malta Taekwondo Association President Anna Vassallo.