#34: Swedish G1: Gold And Bronze

Another international venture for Malta’s taekwondo team ends with medals, particularly for two ITL athletes who returned with Gold and Bronze.

ITL athletes Michela Scerri (ITL) and Alycia Cassar (ITL) attended the Swedish Open (G1) on the weekend of the 11th and 12th of November and returned with Bronze and Gold medals.

They were joined by DAM athlete Nathan Degiorigio, who won silver in his own respective set.

A fourth athlete - Mamadou Balde (ITL) - also joined the contingent as a Refugee Team athlete. Coach Ditmir Vodinaj (ITL) led the team together with Anna Vassallo (MTA President) and Joanna Scicluna (MTA Secretary General).

Michela Scerri (Cadet F -41kg) was the Number 1 seed in her category. Her rank shot her right into the semi-final of the tournament, where she was made to face the winner of a quarter-final round contested by two Korean nationals.

Eventually, she fought Minji Kim (KOR) who won her initial contest. Scerri lost with a close margin to the Korean, who proceeded to win the entire group over other high-ranked athletes like Skye Taylor (GBR) and Adelia Plaipetch-unes (NOR).

Michela walked away with a bronze medal.

Alycia Cassar (Cadet, -55kg) drew American Emilia Przetocki in the quarter-final and won the match with a very convincing performance. She then faced the Number 1 seed: Anna Gruber (ITA).

Alycia fought hard against the Italian and claimed a second win in the semi-final with a round score of 2:0. In the final, she met Sooyeon Park of the Korean national team.

The match kept spectators enthralled as both athletes claimed one round apiece. Come third, Aly clinched the win with a successful defense of a mid-round lead.

Her win over Park meant she was able to walk away with a Gold.

Mamadou Balde - fought the next day in the Senior -80kg division. A hotly contested group filled with renowned athletes. None more so than the Olympic and World Champion Simone Alessio (ITA).

Balde drew Paraguayan Alejandro Gonzalez in the round-of-eight. Despite a remarkable showing, Gonzalez won with a round score of 2:0 and advanced to the next rounds.

All credit to Mamadou, who fought in his first ranked competition this year and second overall. Admittedly, there are no easy matches at this stage and this experience served as a good learning experience for the young athlete.

This venture concludes another remarkable showing for Maltese athletes abroad. Hats off to the athletes, coaches and team.

On behalf of all members of the ITL, we also congratulate Nathan Degiorgio (DAM) for his performance in the very same competition.

The ITL now looks to its next challenges. A final international open and the Malta National Open before the year’s end.