Team Malta Is Ready! Kickboxing Nationals Select Islands’ Finest Ahead Of IKSA World Championships
The Malta Kickboxing Nationals 2024, held at Montekristo in Ħal Farruġ, concluded with great excitement, showcasing the best of local talent.
Organised by the Malta Kickboxing Association (MKBA), the event served as a pivotal moment for Maltese kickboxing, as the national team was formed for the upcoming ISKA (International Sports Karate & Kickboxing Association) World Championships in Vienna, set for October.
The Nationals brought together fighters from eleven different local kickboxing clubs, representing various age groups and categories.
The night was filled with electrifying bouts, and the event culminated in the selection of 28 fighters who won their respective divisions, earning their spots on the national team.
In addition to the thrilling national bouts, the event featured three special matches that garnered significant attention. Two of these were for the ISKA AMA K-1 European title belts.
Maltese fighter Emma Xuereb from Team Noel emerged victorious in the female bout against Harnafi from Team France. On the men’s side, Faris Luković from Team Malta clinched the title against Joseph from Team UK.
The highlight of the evening was the WBC Mediterranean AMA title belt fight, where Maltese fighter Adam Lamouz, also from Team Noel, claimed victory over Luigi Merenda from Team Italy.
A special mention goes to Mr. Paul Hennesey, the President of ISKA Europe, who was present to award the two ISKA titles, and Mr. Lluis Llorett, supervisor of the World Boxing Council (WBC), who awarded the WBC Mediterranean AMA Muay Thai title belt.
Mr. Paul Nicholls, ISKA European Rules Director, also attended, overseeing the judging and refereeing.
With the national team now established, MKBA, led by President Isaac Chetcuti and supported by dedicated coaches, will embark on an intensive training schedule.
The aim of these training camps is to sharpen the fighters’ skills, prepare them tactically, and build their confidence as they take on international competitors in the ISKA World Championships.
Finally, the MKBA committee and President Chetcuti expressed their heartfelt thanks to the Gladiators’ promotion team, all the contributors, and the incredible audience that came out to support the fighters, helping make this event a memorable success.
What do you make of these results?