The 17-year-old Sam Portelli from Nadur, Gozo is making leaps in the kickboxing world, having been invited to represent Malta at the World Championships 2024 taking place in Vienna between the 23rd and 27th October.

Sam’s striking performance at the ISKA (International Sport Kickboxing Association) National Championships at the Montekristo Estate last week got her noticed, as she beat her opponent Amy Vella in three rounds, which led to this opportunity to take her talent overseas.

The local kickboxer will be competing in the Girls category, in the age range of 16 to 17 years, within the weight category of 129 lbs and under. She’s the first Gozitan fighter to enter the national team and has expressed excitement and pride to be representing Malta and Gozo on a global level.

She has been training intensively at the club ‘Fight Science Gozo’ located in Victoria, Gozo, where founder Matt Goldham had nothing but words of praise and encouragement for the uprising fighter: “I couldn’t be more proud of her. She has a natural talent and is really putting the work in to get ready for the Worlds.”

Good luck Sam!