Judoka Joanna Camilleri (photo) recently represented Malta at the Judo World Cup held in Rome. This trip was part of her international competition programme schedule and made possible as a member of the MOC Centre of Excellence of which she is a member of the MIA Gold Athlete Scheme sponsored by the Malta International Airport.

A total of 16 competitors participated in the U63kg including a number of world ranked athlete’s coming from various countries including Germany, France, Italy, Ukraine, Russia, Slovenia, Spain, Italy, Australia, Croatia, Poland and Malta.

Joanna had her first bout with Olena Sayko (World Ranking 54) from Ukraine. During this bout Joanna was taken down to the floor where Olena applied an arm lock on her left arm. Olena also won her second bout against Slovenia thus placing in the quarter finals.

This gave the chance to Joanna to compete in the Repechage for the third place. In the repechage bout, Joanna played against Tina Razinger (World Ranking 83), from Slovenia. Joanna had good control of her opponent but after trying a sacrifice technique she lost control and was held down in a hold down. Since Joanna lost this bout she was eliminated from the repechage pool.

Overall Joanna finished in ninth place. This was her first “A” level tournament participation and will serve in her preparations for future competitions. Next year will be the year of the Games of the Small States of Europe which will take place in Cyprus. Joanna’s next commitment is the Messina International, in the Italian Gran Prix circuit, followed by a training stage in Lipari, where she will compete in the Lipari Open.

As a member of the MIA Gold Athlete scheme Joanna receives access to a number of services, schemes and programmes brought together under one umbrella with one objective: to help them in achieving their ultimate goals and objectives to represent Malta in the international sphere of competitive sport and obtain good results in the international sphere.