Last Sunday, the World Kickboxing Network (WKN) along with the Malta Kickboxing Association (MKBA) organized its second edition of kickboxing gradings for this year. This was held at Ying Yang Team Noel Kickboxing Club, Fgura under the watchful eye of WKN Malta representative Kancho Adrian Axisa and MKBA President Isaac Chetcuti. The examiners' team consisted of Demis Scicluna, Noel Mercieca, Evan Frendo, Keith Zammit and Clayton Micallef with the help of Daniel Zahra and Karl Mifsud.
Apart from the substantial number of Ying Yang Team Noel athletes, students from Kibishii Michi and The New Kickboxing Club also took part in the said examinations. The athletes were examined on various factors such as physical endurance, grading techniques and sparring.
Such examinations not only help the students physically but also serve as an important mental boost. Thanks to such grading sessions, these fighters believe in themselves as they realize that with hard work and determination, they can achieve their goals thus increasing one's self esteem.
The athletes and their respective belts were:
Yellow Belt - Matthias Pace, Kane Wright, Mark Ellul, Shania Ellul, Alex Zhumascho, Yuri Mikhailovich, Allana Attard, Aiken Buhagiar, Chad Schembri, Nicole Busuttil, Zeyon Fenech, Sergei Saliba, Kieron Galton, Shyan Sammut, Scott Pace, Noelene Cole, Keon Darmanin, Kirill Strunkov, Paul Sciberras, Eaman Cachia, Kyle Agius, Ben Amato, Ryan Bowd and Martina Frendo.
Orange Belt - Kurt Vella, Charlone Agius, Yasmine Pulis, Steve Galea, Xanthe Briffa, Stephen Mifsud, Terence Zahra, Jonathan Muscat, Justin D'Amato, Rheane Briffa, Carlos Murhino, Karl Witschurke , Amson Mercieca, Isaac Bugeja and Danzell Azzoppardi.
Green Belt - O'Jay Mangion, Jasmine Spiteri, Kersty Rizzo, Brenda Spiteri, Emilio Barbara, Anouska Naudi, Alan Aquilina, Andrew Mamo, Madeline Vassallo, Fay Cortis and Jakov Bosnjak.
Blue Belt - Lorin Scicluna, Jeffrey Schembri and Kim Besancon.
Purple Belt - Jessica Casha and Matthew Brown.
Black Belt (First Dan) - Jesred Piscopo.