The Taekwondo Dragon Club has took the initiative to hold a friendly competition together with Associazione Sportiva TAEKWONDO 2000 of Mazara del Vallo, Sicily.The club participated with 4 of its athletes being Mauro Busuttil, Kyle Vassallo, Brandon Borg and Lynsey Fenech. The TDC team was headed by Sabomnim Stephen Formosa (4th Dan). Joining the TDC team were Kenneth Calleja and Carmelo Formosa were the latter took care to document the event. Accompanying our contingent were 4 other athletes hailing from the Birzebbuga Taekwondo Club together with other officials bringing the total number of persons to 15.

The event took place on Saturday 19 December where in the morning the athletes were greeted by the organiser and long friend of Sabomnim Formosa, Maestro Vito Marino (4th Dan). Mr. Marino briefly explained the new competition rules and then conducted a session demonstrating some strategical exercises. In the afternoon the whole group was taken to the competition site were first a grading examination was held for over 85 members all coming from Associazione Sportiva TAEKWONDO 2000. The grading examination opened by a short demonstration. The competitions started immediately after the examinations were concluded.

Most of the athletes had the opportunity to play 2 bouts and each bout consisted of 2 rounds of 2 minutes with 1 minute break. First to go was Brandon Borg for whom it was his first experience abroad. He managed to win his first bout but lost his second. Lynsey Fenech won both her fights concluding her second bout 14 to nil. Both Mauro Busuttil and Kyle Vassallo faced the same opponent conducting 1 bout each. Both athletes lost their respective game although it was quite clear that Mauro Bustuttil merited to win his bout.

On Sunday morning we were invited to watch a spectacle organised by our host together with a theatrical company. The show consisted of Taekwondo demonstration, Hip-hop and fitness. All those who succeeded their grading on the previous day were presented with a certificate and their respective colour belt. By the end of the event all Maltese athletes and head of teams were presented with a trophy of commemoration and memento.

The club is now going to participate in the 14th British Master Open to be held on Sunday 20 February at Crawley K2 Arena, London in both Poomsae & Kyorugi categories.