Record participation for Karate National Championships

The Malta Karate Federation (MKF) successfully hosted the Malta Karate National Championships at the Tal-Qroqq Sports Complex at the end of last year.

The event saw a record-breaking participation of 231 athletes, aged between 6 and 56 years, representing eight affiliated clubs.

The championships showcased an impressive technical level in both the performances of the athletes and the professionalism of the refereeing panel, ensuring a smooth and well-executed event.

This championship marked the culmination of an extraordinary year for the MKF on the international stage. Among the highlights were a gold medal at the Mediterranean Championships in Sardinia, a silver medal at the Youth League in Mexico, and an overall fourth-place finish for the MKF contingent at the Small States of Europe Karate Championships in Monaco.

Here, the Maltese athletes secured an impressive tally of seven gold, eight silver, and seventeen bronze medals.

2024 also included a series of local and international seminars focusing on both kata and kumite, as well as referee training programmes.

These initiatives aimed to strengthen the technical skills of athletes and officials alike, underscoring the MKF’s commitment to continuous development.

During the closing ceremony, Kenneth Abela, president of the Malta Karate Federation, expressed his gratitude to the Maltese Olympic Committee (MOC) and SportMalta for their unwavering support.

“Their financial assistance remains fundamental in fostering the growth and success of both athletes and technical officials,” Abela said.