Athletes representing the Malta Karate Federation recently competed at the European Junior, Cadet and U21 Championships, held between February 6 and 8 at the Spyros Kyprianou Athletic Center in Limassol, Cyprus.
The championships brought together 1,225 athletes from 40 countries, with an exceptionally high standard of competition.
Each category featured up to 35 of the finest athletes in Europe, making this event one of the most competitive platforms for young karate practitioners worldwide.
Malta was represented by a contingent of 11 athletes, aged between 14 and 19 years, who competed against some of the strongest junior and cadet competitors on the international stage.
The team was accompanied by national coaches Josef Antonelli, Joseph Mizzi and Michelle Vella, whose guidance and preparation were instrumental throughout the championships.
The Maltese athletes delivered commendable performances.
Jenna Awad Attia secured a fifth-place in Cadet Kata Female, while Francesca Saliba finished seventh in Junior Kata Female.
In the Kata Team Cadet and Junior Female categories, Jenna Awad, Evie Roadley Battin, and Francesca Saliba finished in seventh place.
In a statement, the MKF talked up the results achieved.
“Considering the calibre of competitors present, widely regarded as the top junior athletes in the world, these results represent a significant achievement for MKF athletes and reflect the dedication, discipline and talent within the Malta Karate Federation,” the statement said.
MKF Technical Director Jesmond Schembri expressed immense pride in the athletes’ performances, highlighting that competing at this level demands not only technical excellence but also mental resilience and maturity.
“Achieving top placements in such a prestigious championship demonstrates that Maltese athletes are capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with Europe’s elite,” Schembri added.
“The Federation remains committed to continued development, investment in youth athletes and sustained international participation to build on this success.”
The Malta Karate Federation extended its sincere appreciation to SportMalta and the Maltese Olympic
Committee for their unwavering support, which continues to lay a vital role in enabling MKF athletes to compete at the highest international level.
Funding for this event was provided by SportMalta through its International articipation Scheme.