A group of young martial artists from the Malta Karate Federation (MKF) have just returned home with a remarkable haul of 17 medals, nine of which gold, after participation at the Basle Open tournament, in Switzerland.
The MKF team included eight members – Keelan Azzopardi, Joelle Farrugia, Luke Galea, Sarah Galea, Emma Grech, Sean Micallef, Daniel Mifsud and Travis Sciberras.
Their ages varied from eight to 19 and they took part in various categories, figuring prominently in individual kata, team kata, individual kumite and team kumite.
Federation coach Joe Tanti, technical director James Galea and Christine Micallef, as head of delegation, accompanied the youths in Switzerland.
Around 400 martial artists, from 16 countries, participated in the tournament.
They hailed from Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Luxem-bourg, Malta, Morocco, the Netherlands, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia and Turkey.