The Malta International Karate Open is being held today at the Don Bosco Sports Complex in Dingli.

This year’s edition will be hosting top world class athletes from 13 different countries including, Spain, Germany, Holland, Italy, England, Ireland, Palestine, Austria, Luxemburg, Belgium, Turkey, France and Malta.

This is another big opportunity for the local Maltese karate practitioners to compete at world level.

The technical side will be run under the guidance of Mr. Oliver Brunton (Ireland) WKF chief international referee and Ms. Lucienne Galea (Malta) Internationally Qualified kumite and kata referee.

This year’s edition will be hosting a record number of categories which totals up to 49 events and will start at 9am with the Children and Juniors Kata, then proceeding with Cadets and Seniors Females and Males, both individuals and teams.

At around 1pm, the most expected categories will take place, which are the Musical Free Style and Weapons forms.

Then the competition continues in the afternoon with the Kumite categories.

A high level in both Kata (forms) and Kumite (sparring) is expected from different national and international athletes.

Worth mentioning are V. Bonadonna from Italy, E. Diedricks from Holland, R. Bramley from UK all individual European Kata Champion, from Ireland, James Brunton, World Gold medalist in Kumite amongst others competing from Turkey, France and Spain..

The chief organiser, Chris Galea, from SKSM Karate Malta, emphasises the need of support for the local athletes who, for sure, will do their best to obtain satisfactory results.

Everyone is encouraged to attend and give their support. The main sponsor for this event is JADE Sofas of Mosta. For more information, one may call on 7953 7924 or visit the school’s website on www.sksmalta.com