A Weekend of Growth, High-Level Training, and Unforgettable Memories in Ptolemaida, Greece
Last weekend, Strive Taekwondo had the incredible opportunity to join forces with Iron Taekwondo League and participate in the second edition of the International Training Seminar held in Ptolemaida, Greece. From the 16th to the 19th of January, our athletes stepped into a truly international environment—one that brought together talented practitioners and coaches from Greece, Albania, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and Malta. This mix of cultures, styles, and experiences is exactly what makes camps like these so valuable.
From the very first session, it was clear that the training level would be exceptional. On Friday evening, former World Championship medallist Toula Christidou set the pace with a powerful technical session that emphasised precision, timing, and efficiency—key components of elite Taekwondo. The following morning, athletes were pushed even further by Vaso Christidou, whose high-performance sessions focused on mobility, explosive movement, and sport-specific conditioning.
Saturday evening shifted the focus to strategy as Coach Gianluca Barbara delivered a tactical session packed with realistic scenarios designed to develop decision-making, adaptability, and competitive awareness. By Sunday, athletes from all participating countries came together for a full day of sparring—testing themselves against unfamiliar opponents and applying the skills learned throughout the weekend. The sheer variety of styles on the mat made this a rare and valuable learning experience for everyone involved.
But beyond the high-level training, this camp offered so much more. Whether bonding at the hotel, sharing meals, or joining in friendly football matches and hide and seek tags, our athletes created new friendships and strengthened the bonds between clubs. The laughs, the teamwork, the shared challenges, and the pride in representing Malta—all of it contributed to memories that will stay with us long after the mats are put away.
We are proud not only of the hard work shown by Maltese athletes, but also of the valuable lessons gained—both on the mats and beyond them—which all contribute to our growth as athletes and as individuals. We are equally grateful for the praise received from the Greek coaches, who recognised the strong level, discipline, and determination demonstrated by the Maltese contingent.
A special thank you goes to coaches Toula and Vaso Christidou for their outstanding organisation, and to Coach Gianluca Barbara for representing Malta with excellence and making it possible for us to attend such a great camp.
Here’s to more learning, more experiences, more laughter— and the next unforgettable adventure on the mats. 🥋💙
