#16: Anna Vassallo Is A SportMalta Award Finalist: Here’s Why

For the second consecutive year, Malta Taekwondo Association President Anna Vassallo has made the finals for Malta’s most prestigious sport award.

The 63rd edition of the SportMalta Awards l-Għażliet Sportivi Nazzjonali, this year, had ITL athlete Michela Scerri reach the semi-final. Her nomination saw her vie for the top spot with athletes like Tenisha Thornton, who accrued the most votes in the end.

Michela’s hard-earned result at the Games of the Small States of Europe (first place) drove her nomination. She also achieved a gold medal at the Brussels International Open in December, 2022.

Anna’s nomination saw her reach the final stages of the award, losing out to Terry Camilleri (Billiards & Snooker) who was awarded the prize in the end. This was the second consecutive year Anna made the finals. And through the entire existence of Taekwondo in Malta (35 years), she was the only person to have received such recognition. And as an official nevertheless.

Why?

1: Anna Made History By Becoming The First Internationally-Recognised Official

To date, the MTA is two years old, having replaced the previous Malta Taekwondo Federation (MTF) after it was dissolved in 2021. Since its conception, the association has made a presence on the World and Continental stage owing to Anna Vassallo’s role as the Vice-President of the European Taekwondo Union (the Continental Federation) and Council Member with World Taekwondo (the World Federation). No Maltese official has seen such a position in the history of Sport in Malta.

Her role on the international stage has put Malta in a unique position, the likes of which won’t be seen in decades to come. Moreover, it has also created good relations with local governing bodies, Kukkiwon (highest technical body), World Taekwondo Masters Union and the World Children Taekwondo.

2: Her Appointment Led To A First-Ever Hosting Of A European Championship In Malta

Her position led to a record-breaking hosting of the European Cadet Taekwondo Championships in Malta. A competition that welcomed 1000 athletes, including four of our own. The level of this competition is second only to the World Championships. In the decades preceding her election, Malta hadn’t even secured a single international graded competition on home soil.

3: Through Her, Malta Hosted The Invitational Games Of The Small States, And Medalled

Taekwondo also featured in the Games of the Small States. A tournament where every single ITL-athlete representing the Maltese national team medalled. It was in this competition, that Michela triumphed against all opposition, walking away with a Gold Medal.

4: After Decades, Athletes Were Finally Given The Push They Needed

Michela’s semi-final nomination at the SportMalta awards was a historic first for Malta.

Another ITL athlete (Alycia Cassar) missed out on a Silver Medal at the Turkish Open (G2) by one point. Indeed, Michela also narrowly missed on a podium position by a single point. For those reading, one point is given in taekwondo for the successful landing of a punch to the chest. It can also be given for a foul (such as falling on the floor).

In 2022 alone, Malta welcomed international coaches and hosted no less than four Training Camps for the benefit of the athletes. By February 2023, the association already hosted their first fully local training camp: a first-ever considering the organising panel and coaches were Malta-based.

As an adjunct to the training camps, a referee seminar was also organised for every athlete to keep tabs on new Taekwondo rules. It is important to note that game rules change periodically. The seminar was delivered by International Referee: Madame Nguyen (FRA).

Local aside, the association fielded the country’s top athletes at two training camps held in Greece. These were both held in January.

What’s more? How about a High-Performance Programme dished out to two promising athletes. A means for them to develop their skills to a greater level.

And how about national competitions? In the last national open, ITL fielded no less than 28 athletes. The three remaining clubs registered eight, two and one athlete respectively. Addressing the decade-long problem of athletes having little to no competition, the MTA invited athletes from Italy, France, Latvia, Estonia and Libya to fill-in and make for an exciting competition. One would think the incentive is enough to spur local athletes and alleged lovers of the sport to make their showing. One would think.

5: Dan Gradings Were Standardised And Made Objective Through A Revamped Technical Board

Have you ever found yourself questioning the outcome of a Dan-grading? I have. But not anymore. Not with a technical board composed of a 9th Dan Grandmasters and three internationally-recognised masters who are sixth Dan each. On the committee, we even have one local master - Neville Desira (5th Dan).

With Dan-gradings taking place twice annually, the new MTA even organised fortnightly sessions (online) for all MTA students, delivered at no charge. If you are interested in taking part in these sessions, you can contact the MTA directly through their Facebook (click here).

6: Under Anna’s Tenure, Taekwondo Enjoyed More Public Events And A Greater Media Presence

Taekwondo lessons dished out at schools as part of their extra-curricular activities was just the first step in the promotion of the sport. Eventually, free training sessions were distributed at the Swieqi Local council by ITL coaches Ditmir Vodinaj and Gianluca Barbara.

Interviews, public events and outdoor activities were another avenue explored by the association. But they paled in comparison to the media exposure of February 2023’s Malta Taekwondo Association Training Camp. The event was a first for one of Malta’s leading online news platform: Lovin Malta. Following their partnership with AMA Livestream, the event was broadcast, live. Indeed, this ITL event became the first event to be streamed on their platform.

What does All this mean for the future?

When asked if someone’s output in a given sport role was up-to-scratch, my answer as a practitioner of the sport is always: ‘compared to what/who?’

Like all things in life, there is always room to improve. Even when things are going great. I invite readers to consider - and I mean truly consider - how things were in the past. Take some time to remember. And if you can’t remember, research. The previous taekwondo federation (The MTF) was suspended and later dissolved prior to the formation of the new association. Something that does not happen for no reason.

Want some background? Click here.