Another learning experience in the bag! Last weekend was a mixed emotions one, but surely fond memories to keep.
Nathan Degiorgio (cadet -49kgs) was seeded first in his category earning him a pass at the preliminaries. His first fight against Daniil Modnov from Ukraine was won solidly 2-0 shooting him to quaterfinals where he met another Ukraine national, Mykhailo Savkov, whom after a hard fought nail gripping 3 rounds, Nathan conceding a loss (2-1) earning him a well deserved bronze medal. This is the third medal at G (Global) level that Nathan bagged this year, with two silvers being won in Albania and Serbia.
Luke Chircop (Cadet -53kgs) also fought against a Ukrainian, Arkhip Shulzhenko, whom after suffering an injury had to withdraw from the fight. It was a brief fight but it showed Luke’s determination and his change of mentality from his last foreign commitment in Serbia at Galeb G1 open. Not all wins consist of medals grabbing; this fight was more about the process of letting go of our own imposed inhibitions. And Luke did that. It is a loss on paper, but growth wise, a win in his books as it showed his unrestrained impetus.
Samuel Vella (Cadet -45kgs) fought in Class B of the Dracula Open. Samuel ended straight into finals against the hosting Romanian athlete. He dominated the fight with a clear 2-0 win earning him a Gold medal. His style evolved during the fight, from a passive one to a more confident and aggressive one. Surely an experience to remember and visualise so as to reproduce in the upcoming commitments!
Next foreign commitment for Dragon Taekwondo is on the 16th December 2023 were our team will head to London and participate in the Kixstar London Open.