Malta’s Alycia Cassar produced a spirited performance at the Junior World Taekwondo Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, underlining her potential against some of the sport’s leading young international athletes.
Representing the Malta Taekwondo Association, Cassar competed on 17 April and was drawn against Tunisia’s Istabrak Miraoui, a two-time Tunisian champion and current Arab champion.
The opening round went Miraoui’s way after the Tunisian athlete made a strong start, scoring with two accurate body shots to take control of the contest.
Cassar, however, responded with maturity and determination in the second round. The Maltese athlete adjusted well, raised her intensity and used precise head shots to open a clear gap on the scoreboard, levelling the bout and forcing the match into a decisive third round.
The final round developed into a tense tactical battle, with both athletes showing discipline and awareness. For much of the round, neither competitor managed to score, as the contest remained finely balanced until the closing seconds.
With just four seconds remaining, Miraoui edged ahead 2-0 following a quick exchange. Cassar pushed to find a late response, but time ran out as the Tunisian secured a narrow victory.
Although the result did not go Malta’s way, Cassar’s display on the world stage reflected her progress, resilience and competitive character. Taking such a contest down to the final seconds against a highly decorated opponent is a strong indication of her growing potential in international taekwondo.
The Iron Taekwondo League also acknowledged the work of coach Ditmir Vodinaj, who guided Cassar throughout the competition.
Cassar’s performance in Tashkent represents another encouraging moment for Maltese taekwondo and provides valuable experience as she continues her development in the sport.
