Michela Scerri, a rising star in Maltese taekwondo and a representative of ITL Taekwondo, has made history by becoming the first Maltese athlete to qualify for the prestigious Junior Grand Prix Finals.

Michela achieved this milestone after securing a silver medal at the E3 Qualifier for the ETU Grand Prix, held in Nis, Serbia.

This achievement comes shortly after Michela’s debut at the World Championships in Korea, marking an impressive year for the young athlete. In Serbia, she showcased her skills by defeating Bosnian Hena Melez in a tightly fought quarter-final and overcoming Croatia’s top seed Sara Prpic in a thrilling three-round semi-final.

In the final, Michela faced off against Ioanna Tsitaki of Greece. Despite a strong showing, she finished second, with Tsitaki gaining an early lead and holding it with solid defensive play. Michela's silver medal caps a year filled with hard work, having participated in 10 competitions, four training camps, and undergoing extensive training.

The ITL Taekwondo team praised Michela for her remarkable achievement and extended their thanks to Serbian coach Vladan Nikodijevic for his support throughout the competition.

Michela’s qualification for the Junior Grand Prix Finals marks a significant moment for Maltese taekwondo.

Congratulations, Michela!