A Grateful Step Forward: Strive Students Gain Valuable Experience at Rising Stars 1‑2‑1
On 31st March 2026, the Maltese Taekwondo community saw another meaningful step in athlete development with the Rising Stars 1‑2‑1 event — the latest instalment in the Iron Taekwondo League’s Rising Stars series. As highlighted in the official write‑up, this edition introduced a refreshing and purposeful concept: a low‑pressure, experience‑driven environment designed to help athletes develop confidence and practical competitive understanding without the stress of medals or rankings. [irontkdleague.com]
For us at Strive Taekwondo Club, this opportunity was invaluable. Events like these create a safe space where students can test their skills, embrace new challenges, and grow both mentally and technically. We are deeply grateful to have been part of an initiative that places learning above competition — a philosophy we strongly believe in and encourage within our own training.
A total of 34 matches were held throughout the day, all efficiently overseen by Romano Biondi (5th Dan), ensuring a smooth, fair, and uplifting experience for all participants. The flexible, ability-based matching meant that many of our students stepped onto the mat more than once, gaining invaluable mat time and improving their real‑world competitive understanding with each round.
We owe special thanks to Gianluca Barbara, the mastermind and driving force behind this event. His vision for athlete development, his commitment to creating meaningful experiences, and his ongoing efforts to raise the level of Maltese Taekwondo were clearly reflected throughout the entire day. The Rising Stars concept continues to flourish because of his dedication, passion, and leadership, and we are truly grateful for the opportunities it provides our students.
We also want to express heartfelt appreciation for our own Aretina Chamaleli, who played a crucial role throughout the event — stepping in as coach, corner judge, coordinator, and all‑round support wherever needed. Her adaptability, professionalism, and commitment ensured that our athletes felt guided, encouraged, and supported from start to finish.
The event showcased participants as young as four and as old as 39, including our own coach Mauro Busuttil, who made a spirited return to the mat in two matches — reinforcing the message that Taekwondo is a lifelong journey of learning and challenge.
To relive the highlights, photos from the event can be viewed here:
📸 https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1837672217146969&type=3
We also extend our thanks to the Malta Taekwondo Association, as acknowledged in the original article, for their continued support, as well as the volunteers and coaches whose dedication helped make the event run seamlessly. Collaborations like these strengthen our sport and reaffirm our shared mission: nurturing the next generation of martial artists through positive, development‑focused experiences.
We look forward to many more opportunities where our students can continue striving, learning, and growing — one match, one experience, and one milestone at a time.
