#96: ITL Athlete Secures Gold In Germany
ITL had another eventful experience in Gummersbach, Germany with one gold medal claimed in the Masters - 80kg division.
Gianluca Barbara, ITL coach, secured his gold after a semi-final walkover and a double-round win in the final against a German adversary from renowned club Sportverein Bayer Wuppertal.
This gold becomes the eighth gold medal claimed in the masters division by the same athlete since 2024.
ITL’s Gianluca Barbara (left) and coach Patrick Klein (right).
The matches can be seen by clicking here and finding fight 426 and 433.
In the final, Gianluca secured his final point with a jumping spinning hook kick that eventually featured on the global platform: MUNDO TAEKWONDO (click here to check it out).
The small Maltese contingent also featured on a local German newspaper (click here).
The 11th edition of the Internationaler Becketal Cup was organised by German club TV Becketal and presided over by Grandmaster Bajrus Saliou - whose warm welcome was deeply appreciated.
In addition to local political celebrities, Grandmaster Mu In Kim, a key figure in Taekwondo, made his way there. At Saliu's invitation, Kim traveled to Gummersbach from South Korea, the homeland of the martial art. Also among the guests of honor was Hwang Yong Kang, a grandmaster from Cologne.
Gianluca Barbara with his family, together with Grandmaster Bajrus Saliou and representatives from South Korea: GM Mu In Kim and Hwang Yong Kang.
ITL gives thanks to German coach Patrick Klein (also from TV Becketal) whose efforts led Gianluca to the win on the day.
The club also thanks all competition staff, volunteers and organizers who catered for the impeccable order of the day(s), including the warm reception of athletes who helped us on the day.
ITL now prepares for its next international event next week: the 5th Wales International Open.
