Athletes representing the Malta Karate Federation recently competed at the European Junior, Cadet and U21 Championships, held between 6th and 8th February at the Spyros Kyprianou Athletic Center in Limassol, Cyprus. The Championships brought together 1,225 athletes from 40 countries, with an exceptionally high standard of competition. Each category featured up to 35 of the finest athletes in Europe, making this event one of the most competitive platforms for young karate practitioners worldwide. Malta was represented by a contingent of 11 athletes, aged between 14 and 19 years, who competed against some of the strongest junior and cadet competitors on the international stage. The team was accompanied by National Coaches Josef Antonelli, Joseph Mizzi and Michelle Vella, whose guidance and preparation were instrumental throughout the Championships. The Maltese athletes delivered commendable performances, achieving the following notable results:

• Jenna Awad Attia secured an impressive 5th place in Cadet Kata Female.
• Francesca Saliba placed 7th in Junior Kata Female.
• In the Kata Team Cadet and Junior Female, Jenna Awad Attia, Evie Roadley Battin and Francesca Saliba achieved 7th place.

Considering the calibre of competitors present, widely regarded as the top junior athletes in the world, these results represent a significant achievement for MKF athletes and reflect the dedication, discipline and talent within the Malta Karate Federation. MKF Technical Director Jesmond Schembri expressed immense pride in the athletes’ performances, highlighting that competing at this level demands not only technical excellence but also mental resilience and maturity. Achieving top placements in such a prestigious championship demonstrates that Maltese athletes are capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with Europe’s elite. The Federation remains committed to continued development, investment in youth athletes and sustained international participation to build on this success. The Malta Karate Federation extends its sincere appreciation to SportMalta and the Maltese Olympic Committee for their unwavering support, which continues to play a vital role in enabling MKF athletes to compete at the highest international level. Funding for this event was provided by SportMalta through its International Participation Scheme.