#91: ITL Senior Team Takes Part In Greece G1

Three ITL fighters took part in the Greece G1 in Thessaloniki on the 25th May, 2025.

Led by coach Gianluca Barbara, the athletes representing ITL were Czarek Odlanicki (M -87 kg), Fergeson Galea (M -58kg) and Ashik Sunil (M -74kg). They were accompanied by MTA President and ETU Vice President Anna Vassallo.

It was the second-ever competition for the club’s senior contingent after the team was formed last February. This, prior to competing in the Open de Liege in Belgium. There, both Czarek and Fergeson Galea came home with gold and bronze medals in their respective categories. Ashik had not competed due to injury.

In Greece, ITL’s three athletes would not see the podium with losses sustained in the opening matches of the single-elimination tournament.

All fighters faced tough opposition in the form of European medalists like Nirmod Krivishkiy (Israel) and Ivan Escolar Parra (Spain), and other prominent players from the Serbian national team. The tournament also featured Olympians like Lev Korneev (Serbia) and Jack Woolley (IRL), both of whom won their respective sets.

ITL’s senior contingent is a new project, and the Greece G1 was a ‘scaling up’ of the previous Open in Belgium. It was a rare first that the team was represented exclusively by seniors, but it was an important first step in consolidating an actual senior contingent representing the club. These seniors are already classified as the best within the country.

The club’s statement on social media read:

“Unfortunately, we did not achieve the result we set out for. Our inexperience was very evident and it showed when we faced highly ranked opponents.”

“But as a coach I am still proud. Proud of the hard work and the steps my athletes took - and will continue to take - to improve. I am also proud of them for being THE BEST seniors in our country. Hands down.”

“It was an incredible learning experience and one we shall use to raise the bar moving forward. This, I promise you.”

“As a coach, I would also like to take this moment to thank my athletes for their priceless friendship and for yet another cherished memory in this wonderful journey we have embarked on. One of learning, camaraderie, faith, love, respect… and the occasional kick in the head.”

ITL’s senior project is only the beginning of a long and intensive competitive phase, with more competitions and camps taking place imminently.

ITL Thanks The MTA, the THF, SportMalta And All Our Friends In Greece

A special thanks to the Malta Taekwondo Association, the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation and Sport Malta for making this competition possible for our team to attend.

We would also like to reach out to our trusted friends Toula Christidou and Professor Andreas Christidis, who provided us with a lot of aid during the competition and in the days leading up to it.

ITL will now take part in a Croatian E2 in early June.