On Sunday 3rd February, a good number of kickboxing students underwent their belt grading. A total of around 50 students were examined. 45 of the said students train at Ying Yang Team Noel Kickboxing Club Fgura coached by Master Noel Mercieca whilst the others train at The New Kickboxing Club and Kibishii Michi Kickboxing Club.
These 50 athletes were examined in different aspects of the sport such as various kickboxing techniques and plenty of physical exercise thus putting their stamina to the ultimate test. Grading started early in the morning and for some lasted for hours due to the different belt categories.
Diane Schembri along with teammate Celeste Galea were in fact two of the students that underwent the longest examination where they were successful in obtaining their purple belt. Both Schembri and Galea have substantial experience competing both locally and abroad. Diane Schembri is currently a semi finalist for the Best Female Athlete 2018 Award.
This grading was sanctioned by the World Kickboxing Network (WKN) along with the Malta Kickboxing Association (MKBA). WKN President Kancho Adrian Axisa and MKBA President Isaac Chetcuti were both present on the day and even formed part of the assessors' team.
Some of the individuals graded will also be competing during Gladiators Fight Night XXII being held on the 23rd of February at the Corradino Sports Pavilion.