Milestones on the Mat: StC Kicks Off 2026 With a Powerful First Colour Belt Grading
On Saturday, 28th March 2026, Strive Taekwondo Club in Hamrun opened its doors early for the first colour belt grading of the year — and by 8am, the dojang was already buzzing with energy. What followed was a packed and dynamic morning that carried on until midday, filled with determination, discipline, and the unmistakable spirit that defines our athletes.
A total of 32 students stepped onto the mats to demonstrate their skills, representing ranks from 9th Kup beginners all the way to senior 1st and 2nd Kup candidates. Among them were young first‑timers like Anastasiia Lukina, Mariah Schembri, Milan Daniel Eperjesi, and many others proudly going for their 9th Kup, as well as more experienced practitioners such as Aisha Shembesh Gatt (2nd Kup) and senior students Andrew Catania, Noah and Zak Kitcher Deguara, and Sean Grech, all testing for 1st Kup.
Under the watchful eyes of examiners Jerome Vassallo, Aretina Chamaleli, and Mauro Busuttil each participant displayed not only technical ability but also noticeable growth since their previous grading. From crisp basics to confident patterns and committed sparring drills, it was evident that the hard work put in during training sessions is paying off.
And we are proud to say: every single participant passed and earned their new belt.
Full list: Anastasiia Lukina, Mariah Schembri, Milan Daniel Eperjesi, Sofija Palalic, Xin Yu (Annie) Liu, Isabel Askman and Anna Brackenbury all earned 9th Kup.
Charalampos (Harry) Siderakis, Emma Debono, Kane Falzon, Ruth Cutajar, Sophie Pickard, Bradley Micallef, Drake Damato, Matthew Pickard, Matthew Vella and Teodor Palalic advanced to 7th Kup.
Aleksei Lukin, Alaya Shembesh Gatt, Diego Jason Riolo, Leah Pace and Xavier Spiteri progressed to 6th Kup.
Gioele Valzecchi, Urs Schwinger, Matthias Caruana and Salvatore Riolo achieved 5th Kup.
Ella Scerri earned 4th Kup, while Aisha Shembesh Gatt advanced to 2nd Kup.
Finally, Andrew Catania, Noah Kitcher Deguara, Sean Grech and Zak Kitcher Deguara all successfully achieved 1st Kup.
But at Strive Taekwondo Club, grading is never treated as a simple formality. It is not a belt that is given — it is a level that must be earned. Every strike, block, stance, and bow represents hours of effort, consistency, and resilience. This grading, like all others, serves as a milestone in a long journey of personal development.
For many, it was a moment of triumph; for others, a reminder of how far they’ve come and how much more there is to achieve. Progress in Taekwondo is not only measured in belts but in character — confidence, discipline, patience, and respect.
A special message goes out to our older and higher‑ranked students: with your new belts comes new responsibility. Younger practitioners look up to you. Your behaviour, work ethic, and attitude set the tone in the dojang. Wear your belt with pride, but also with awareness — you are now role models in our community.
Congratulations once again to all students. Keep striving, keep improving, and remember: every belt is just the beginning of the next challenge. The journey continues!
