#24: Early Start for Malta’s Year With Intensive Training Camp

For the tenth year in the city of Kozani in Greece, there came the renowned Snow Camp. An international training camp with no shortage of high-level athletes for Kyorugi and Poomsae.

National coach Ditmir Vodinaj led a Maltese contingent comprising Alycia Cassar (ITL), Michela Scerri (ITL), and Nathan Degiorgio (DAM), as three of 750 athletes attending the camp.

The camp hosted Ioakeim Pechlivani (Dan VIII), who managed the poomsae segment of the camp.

From the kyorugi perspective, notable sports clubs AGS Makedoniki Dynami (Kozani) and Danaos (Oraiokastro), were among the first and most prominent organisations to feature. Till today, these two clubs are distinguished for their accomplishments at the European and World level.

As far as coaching goes, some big names hit the stage:

1. Master Khem Taweesilp (Taekwondo Coach, 7th Dan Black Belt WT)

2. David Philip Cook (PhD. Biomechanics)

3. Ioakeim Pechlivanis (Grand Master 8th Dan Kukkiwon, Taekwondo Poomsae),

4. Alizera Nassrazadany ( World Champion Coach National Team Belgium)

5. Christidis Andreas ( Prof. of Physical Education – MSc)

6. Telikostoglou Apostolos (Taekwondo World Champion, Member of Greece Pre-Olympic Team)

That’s not all. Five world-renowned scientists led seminars and support modules that will ran simultaneously during the camp in specially designed rooms.

1. Pavlos Thomas – Dental Surgeon

2. Tzatzaki Theodora – Sports Psychologist

3. Vavoulidou Smaro – Physiotherapist

4. Gesiou Mpatsila Vasiliki – Clinical Dietitian

5. Koutrotsiou Anastasia – Physical education teacher, International Referee Taekwondo

Malta’s athletes hit the camp, where they trained for no less than five days (the 3rd of January till the 7th of January 2024). There, they partook in a host of training matches with athletes from all over the world.