Kickboxing championships at Corradino

The Malta kickboxing championships, held recently in Corradino, were contested by all local clubs.

Martial artists from Ying Yang Club, Free Style Kick Boxing, Art of Fighting Club, Gozo Kick Boxing Club, Kick Boxing Club, Tae Kwon Do Club and Wu Shu Ky Club were on the mat vying for the honours during the two-day competition.

Competitors had to wear adequate protective equipment. Bouts varied from semi- to full-contact.

Demis Scicluna, David Schembri, Daniela Schembri and Brian Grech were on the judging panel that also included three foreign Martial Arts experts - Wolfgang Raach (Germany champion), Pedro Fernandez Alvarez (Kyukushinkai Karate) and Scott Dixon (world champion).

The referee was Adrian Axisa, the main organiser of the championships.

One of the highlights of the championships was Reuben Azzopardi's successful defence of his light heavyweight title, his fifth in succession.

Azzopardi, of Ying Yang Club, will now represent Malta in an international competition to be organised by the World Kickboxing Network (WKN) in Turin later this month.

Daniel Zahra won the Open category, the last event in the programme.

One may obtain more details on kickboxing activities by phoning 9925-6363 or by visiting www.kanchomalta.com and adrianaxisa@onvol.net.