#110: ITL Conquers The Grid — A Day of Grit, Glory & Young Heroes

On 11th and 12th October 2025, the rugged cliffs of Golden Bay / Għajn Tuffieħa witnessed a spectacle of strength, determination, and teamwork as our Iron Taekwondo League (ITL) members took on one of Malta’s premier obstacle-course events: The Grid Sprint and The Grid Kids.

Gianluca Barbara Takes on The Grid Sprint

Gianluca Barbara represented ITL in the adult division, tackling the punishing 5 km (or approximately 6 km) scenic route with over 20 obstacles thrown in for good measure. From cliffside trails to water crossings, muddy pits to rope climbs, the course challenged both physical will and mental grit.

As part of Malta’s OCR elite league, The Grid Sprint is more than a race — it’s a seasonal highlight, drawing local and international athletes alike. For Gianluca, this was a chance to test endurance, strategy, and resolve against a truly dynamic course.

Crossing the finish line was no small feat. Battling obstacles and natural terrain, our athlete’s performance illustrated the crossover between martial arts discipline and obstacle-course grit. His showing added prestige to ITL’s reputation as a club committed not just to taekwondo, but to holistic fitness and adventurous challenges.

ITL Kids Dominate The Grid Kids — 17 Young Athletes, Many Medals

But the real scene-stealers were the energetic young members of ITL. A group of 17 kids lined up for The Grid Kids race, each eager to take on fun-packed challenges and leave with a medal.

The Grid Kids event is designed for ages 6 to 15, with age-appropriate obstacles and a focus on fun, safety, and inclusive competition.

Across a course of approximately 2 km, participants were met with hurdles, nets, rope climbs, mud obstacles, and plenty of beachside excitement.

Whether they were jumping over barriers, crawling under nets, or leaping into splash zones, ITL’s youngsters showed fearlessness, stamina, and team spirit. Parents and coaches cheering them on added to the festive atmosphere.

In the end, many of them crossed the finish line with medals in hand — a proud moment for both the kids themselves and the club as a whole.

The Grid 2025 was more than just an obstacle course — it was a celebration of courage, teamwork, and perseverance, values at the very heart of Iron Taekwondo League. From the seniors’ determined push through the challenging Sprint course to the unstoppable energy of our 17 young warriors in The Grid Kids, every participant embodied what ITL stands for: discipline, resilience, and unity.

Each muddy step, each conquered obstacle, and every medal earned was a reminder that success isn’t only found in the dojang — it’s built wherever effort meets spirit. The Iron Taekwondo League family couldn’t be prouder of its athletes, young and old, for proving once again that with heart and grit, no challenge is too great.