Athletes from the Iron Taekwondo League (ITL) enjoyed a stellar international weekend between February 14th and 15th, 2026, competing simultaneously in Albania and Belgium to bring home five prestigious medals.
Success in Tirana
In the Albanian capital, under the guidance of coach Ditmir Vodinaj, young athletes Alycia Cassar (-63kg) and Jean Schembri (-45kg) competed in the ETU Grand Prix Open Qualification Tournament and the Top Tirana Open. Both athletes delivered courageous performances to secure bronze medals, with Cassar reaching the semi-finals of the Top Tirana Open.
Podium Finishes in Liège
Meanwhile, in Liège, Belgium, coach Gianluca Barbara led a team consisting of Fergeson Galea, Robin Zammit, and Czarek Odlanicki Poczobutt.
- Robin Zammit earned a silver medal following a spectacular comeback in the semi-finals and a high-level final match.
- Czarek Odlanicki Poczobutt secured a bronze medal.
- Fergeson Galea narrowly missed out on a podium spot despite a brave performance.
Gold for Coach Barbara
Coach Gianluca Barbara led by example, winning the Gold medal in the Masters -80kg category. In addition to his victory, he was named the Best Masters Athlete for the third consecutive year.
A Remarkable Team Result
In total, ITL returned to Malta with 1 Gold, 1 Silver, and 3 Bronze medals. The club’s performance in Belgium was particularly notable, as they finished 19th out of 80 teams. This result further confirms the club’s consistent progress and growing reputation on the European Taekwondo circuit.
Sports Editor
Veteran Journalist
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