Michela Scerri Becomes First Maltese Taekwondo Athlete To Qualify For Junior Grand Prix Finals
Michela Scerri, representing ITL Taekwondo, has made history by securing a second-place finish at the E3 Qualifier for the ETU Grand Prix, earning her a spot in the Junior Grand Prix Finals.
This marks the first time a Maltese taekwondo athlete has qualified for the prestigious event.
Just a week after her world championship debut in Korea, Michela competed in Nis, Serbia, where she has previously medaled.
In the quarter-final, she defeated Bosnian athlete Hena Melez in a closely contested match, winning with decisive moves in both rounds. In the semi-final, she overcame Croatian top seed Sara Prpic in three rounds, advancing to the final.
In the final, Michela faced Greek athlete Ioanna Tsitaki. Despite a strong effort, Michela finished in second place after Tsitaki secured an early lead and held onto it with defensive play.
This silver medal performance caps off a challenging year for Michela, who has participated in 10 competitions and four training camps, along with extensive training. Her qualification for the Grand Prix Finals is a significant achievement for Maltese taekwondo.
The ITL team expressed their gratitude to Serbian coach Vladan Nikodijevic, who supported Michela during the competition, and congratulated her on this milestone achievement.
Well done Michela!
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