#46: Maltese Athlete Trains With English And French National Teams At Team GB Centre
Ahead of her preparation for the Junior World Championships, Iron Taekwondo League athlete Michela Scerri and her coach, Gianluca Barbara, attended a training camp organised by the national team of Great Britain.
ITL and national athlete Michela Scerri.
A full British contingent also welcomed the French national team, and their coaches, along with Danish and Austrian national athletes. Like Michela, all attending athletes are preparing for the Junior World Championships.
Held at the Team GB Centre in Manchester, the intense program consisted of technical and tactical drills, volume and play sparring, individual training, and strength and conditioning.
Individual training also took place During this time, ITL coach Gianluca led sessions in a 1-2-1 format with Michela but was later joined by Austrian national athlete Lorenz Wittek (-68 kg).
Making the most of the occasion, Michela and Gianluca also attended separate training in Normanton; at Black Widow Taekwondo Club, led by one of Team GB’s coaches.
Michela and Gianluca following their training in Normanton, United Kingdom, at Black Widow Taekwondo.
Manchester’s Taekwondo Centre also saw the likes of Caden Cunningham and Lauren Williams, two Olympic medalists. The centre even featured Team GB’s Paralympic team, who will compete in the coming days.
While the training lasted a week, the most important occasion was the Test Match Day, held on Wednesday 21st August. On this occasion, the Olympic Centre was made to simulate a World Championship. Lights, music, and even the venue’s temperature were tailored to give each athlete a feel for the big day itself. Towards the end, the semi-finals and finals included ‘walkouts’ to a deafening round of cheers and applause.
The Association congratulates both Michela and Gianluca for this initiative. No doubt, the pair will continue to work towards JWC, starting in September.
The Association extends its thanks to British Taekwondo and its staff for this amazing opportunity, and VisitMalta, for sponsoring Michela’s training at their amazing centre in Manchester.
