#18: ITL Cadets Register Wins At Belgian G2, Miss Podium By Single Point

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ITL athletes Michela Scerri (-37kg) and Alycia Cassar (-51kg) have returned from Belgium after having recorded their first wins at G2 level.

And what’s more? Their captivating performance was just a point shy of a medal.

World and Olympic champions showed their class at the 2023 Belgian Open: a world ranking event (G2).

The “small world championship” welcomed athletes from Korea, China, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, France, Great Britain, Croatia, Spain, Thailand. Countries with an extensive Olympic history.

Alongside them, was an ITL team made up of Michela (13), Aly (13), Anna Vassallo (official) and myself (coach).

Alycia Cassar (-51kg, Cadet)

Aly was the first competitor. Shortly after being called in for a random weigh in, the -51kg athlete faced German athlete Asya Saziye Sonmez in fight 716 (watch at 03:02:00).

Aly won the match with a score of 2:0, stopping the fight short of the end with a 12-point gap.

Her next opponent, Mia Malea Majstorovic (GER) faced her in Fight 738 (watch at 07:05:00). The quarter-final.

Aly started strong, landing two consecutive headshots. Pressing her advantage, she led the round with a score of 7-1 up until the minute mark.

With 20 seconds to spare, a slick headshot from the German saw the margin reduced to 7-4. Majstorovic’s second wind then saw her edge past the Maltese athlete with a score of 7-8 in the end. Aly lost the round by a hair.

Aly picked up the pace in the second round, recording successive front-leg headshots to finish the second round with a big win. It was all to play for in the final round.

At the business end of the match, Majstorovic hit Aly with an early headshot that kept her comfortable. Nevertheless, Aly levelled.

A well-placed body shot then left the German with a two-point advantage seconds before the end.

With two seconds left, Aly attempted a spinning hook kick that whizzed by her opponent’s head. Had it landed, Aly would have made the podium. Alas, the score ended 7-9 against Malta.

Michela Scerri (-37kg, Cadet)

As the fifth seed, Michela was set to face the winner of fight 102. Luxembourg versus Germany. Having triumphed over a Luxembourgian athlete, German athlete Fiona Schultz (GER) met Michela in fight 121.

The Maltese athlete landed multiple punches on her opponent’s chest to see her through a controlled win of 2:0 (watch at 04:03:45).

Michela then met Maria Koukousoudi (GER) in the quarter-final (watch at 07:35:00); fight 139.

The two displayed a similar playing style in the beginning, keeping to an open stance and playing with the front leg. As a consequence, the two clashed legs and often found themselves in the clinch.

Koukousoudi landed a body shot in Michela’s flank that saw her lead with two points. Yet, the Maltese athlete caught up with two punches.

Seconds before the end, the two were stuck at 3-3. But since the German landed a body shot, she had the advantage. Taking her chance, Michela went for another punch but fell to her knee and conceded a Gamgeom (foul). The round ended 3-4 against Michela.

Come round 2, Michela kept her composure and checked her opponent successively with the front leg. However, a clean body shot from Koukousoudi gave her another two-point advantage.

The score did not fluctuate. And with the end fast approaching, Michela attempted an acrobatic crescent kick that missed the mark by centimeters.

There was a silver lining: an illegal push from the German that sent Michela to the floor.

The Gamgeom (foul) left the score at 3-4 against Malta in the dying embers of the match. Michela gave it her all, and even though she recorded a hit, the score did not budge.

Onwards

No medals on this day. But the performance of both athletes was a standout one. Especially at G2-level. It is important to note our geographical disadvantage and lack of local competitors.

Looking at the scores - and the fights - it doesn’t take an expert to realize that the level of Maltese athletes in this sport is improving. Especially from an ITL-standpoint.

The performance is a statement in its own right.

Athletes from Taekwondo Dragon Club also attended the competition. Nathan Degorgio and Luke Chircop hit the -49kg male category, losing 1:2 and 0:2 respectively. Female Junior athlete Aretina Chamaleli competed in the -59kg category and registered a 2:0 win in her first match. Owing to a clash of fights, she made her next match with me in her corner. She lost the match with a score of 2:1.

ITL Thanks The Belgian Federation

More than 2000 people (athletes, coaches, judges, officials, volunteers and media) attended the event, which was held at Lommel, Belgium on the 18th and 19th March, 2023. And we count ourselves lucky to be among that contingent.

This Taekwondo WT event organized by Taekwondo Vlaanderen and took place in the Sooverein Arena.

You can view all results for Cadets and Juniors by clicking here.