Martial arts weekend festival in Gozo

The Gozo Sports Complex recently hosted a martial arts weekend festival which was organised by Adrian Axisa and Mario Saliba.

Various Martial Arts All Styles (MAAS) competitions were held among which Back to Back, Viking Combat, Point Sparring, Free Style and Weapons Kata.

Day One commenced with a kick-boxing demonstration which was followed by a lecture from Dr Mark Xuereb, an aerobics class by Jes Sciberras and an introduction to Tai Chi by Charles Attard.

Day Two opened with a demonstration by the Gozo Spirit Combat Club. World Association of Kick Boxing Organisations (WAKO) competitions followed, starting from novice and then intermediate and advanced matches.

The highlight was a tournament, between local and Italian kick boxers, which finished all-square after a draw.

Dr Xuereb presented another lecture, mainly focusing on the effects of main illnesses on athletes and how these should be handled. There was also an introduction to massage practices by Charles Attard.

Besides being one of the main organisers, Kancho Axisa also acted as referee. There were other judges and club officials who contributed to a perfect organisation of this activity, not least the Gozo Sports Complex administration and staff.

Pro-Stage Sound, Atlantis Hotel, Vella Bros, Vacations Malta, Calypso Radio, Papillon Hair Studio, J. de Bono Digital Printing, Joe Cauchi Developments Ltd, Fuego and MIBS Ltd were among the sponsors.