The 2012 Malta Open, held recently in Dingli, attracted no fewer than 385 martial artists from 12 countries as organisers SKSM Karate Malta were marking the 10th anniversary of the event. The first edition was staged in 2003.

The most highly-rated team in the competition was Russia.

In fact, they lived up to their billing by winning the overall trophy with a haul of 30 medals (12 gold, six silver, 12 bronze).

Israel, who brought a 45-member contingent for the Malta Open, finished second (7 gold, 8 silver and 11 bronze) and Malta were a creditable third ahead of England with a total 24 medals (7 gold, 7 silver and 10 bronze).

The other countries involved were Scotland, Ireland, France, Luxembourg, Italy, Germany, Netherlands and Portugal.

The promising Andrew Galea ended the competition with a remarkable total of seven medals – four gold and three silver in Kata and Kumite.

Together with Jonathan Falzon and Drew McOnville, Galea helped the Maltese team to win one of the most contested categories in Kumite where they placed first among 13 teams.

Other SKSM athletes who left a good impression were Jamie Willoughby and Alenka Falzon.

They won four medals each in their respective categories.

The Malta Open was divided into three sections – Traditional Kata, Freestyle and Weapons Kata, and Kumite. Overall there was a total of 53 categories.

The chief referee of the tour-nament was Lucienne Galea who supervised the technical part of the championships. She was assisted by 20 other officials.

Galea is an international Kumite referee and a qualified Kata judge.