The Malta Karate Federation has recently sent a contingent of athletes to the European Karate Federation Junior, Cadet and U21 Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia.
The Maltese team was formed by Emma Mizzi, Thyis Antonelli, Francesca Saliba, Evie Roadley-Battin and Jessica Vella. During the competition, they were guided by Sensei Michelle Vella, Sensei Joseph Mizzi and Sensei Josef Antonelli.
The best performer among the Maltese team was Jessica Vella who notched three victories in the Kata competition.
In the first round of the Kata competition, Vella managed to overcome the challenge of Turkish athlete Evsan.
The Maltese athlete was then up against Khurtsilava, of Georgia, and once more she prevailed when she scored 36.70 against her opponents’ 36.20.
That victory set Vella a clash against Austrian representative Celo and the Maltese again showed all her skill when she came out on top 38.40-38.00.
That set up a decisive clash against Germany’s Shirley Jay but this time the Maltese was beaten 40.40-37.50.
Jay went on to win the bronze medal in the tournament while Vella finished in 11th place.
Emma Mizzi managed to reach the repechage in the Kumite competition. However, she failed to progress for a medal fight and had to settle for ninth place.
Apart from participation in the individual competitions, the Malta Karate Federation contingent fielded a team in the Cadet and Junior Female categories where they produced an encouraging display.
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