Katryna Esposito has won Malta’s first-ever medal at an Asian Open, taking silver at the Amman Asian Open in Jordan as the two-day event concluded on 19 August. The result marks a landmark moment for Maltese judo and caps a strong return to the international circuit for the 25-year-old.
The competition, staged in Amman from 18–19 August, is part of the Judo Union of Asia calendar and drew athletes from four continents and 19 nations. Esposito, Malta’s sole representative in Jordan, advanced through her draw to secure a place on the podium, underlining her quality in a women’s field that featured multiple established judoka.
Her club, Tigné Judo Club, confirmed the historic nature of the medal and thanked BeActive–SportMalta for the financial backing that enabled Esposito and coach Ivan Esposito to travel, while also acknowledging continued support from the Maltese Olympic Committee, the Malta Judo Federation and ASD Mandraccio Roma. The Maltese Olympic Committee likewise hailed the silver as the country’s first at an Asian Open.
Esposito’s breakthrough in Amman adds to a growing résumé that already includes Commonwealth Games bronze in Birmingham in 2022 and GSSE gold in 2023, achievements that helped position her among Malta’s leading athletes of recent years. Her latest success signals momentum as she targets further progress on the international stage.
Beyond the individual accolade, the silver carries wider significance for Maltese judo, demonstrating that athletes from a small nation can reach finals in major continental competition. For the federation and its partners, it also offers a timely endorsement of investment in elite preparation and international exposure.
Tigné Judo Club said it was “so proud” of Esposito’s performance in Amman and reiterated its gratitude to the organisations that backed the campaign, as Maltese judo celebrated an unprecedented Asian Open podium.
