20 years of Kickboxing

This time 20 years ago the Ying Yang Kickboxing club, under the guidance of Master Noel Mercieca, opened its doors to the first students to learn the discipline of Kickboxing.

From a school hall to an official club in Fgura, Ying Yang Kickboxing has become one of the most prominent and largest club in Malta with 150 students.

The age of the athletes varies between five and 55 years and all training under Master Noel Mercieca and 25 Black Belt. Since then the club has produced athletes that compete at a professional level in kickboxing, K1 and Boxing.

The first international title was in 1999 when Ruth Tanti won the gold medal in international WKA championships held in Malta. She won her final match in the first round.

In 2007 Ying Yang Kickboxing became the first Maltese club to join the World Kickboxing Network (WKN) which led to many opportunities for Maltese athletes from different clubs to represent Maltain in international matches. The first match was in the hands of Ruben ‘the Wolf’ Azzopardi in Turin.

The club also produced the first Maltese Kickboxing athlete who fought on the professional level.

In a short period Daniel ‘the Jet’ Zahra won numerous matches and title belts in Kickboxing, K1 and Savate. Zahra was also the first Maltese Kickboxer who took part in a competition which was broadcast live on Eurosport and also competed in Japan.

On more than one occasion, Master Noel Mercieca organised training sessions with worldrenowned athletes. Among them was Osman Yigin, Stephane Cabrera, Fabio Siciliani and Ernesto Hoost.

He also worked to increase the Malta Kickboxing competitions especially the Gladiators Night events and the first World Cup of WKN.

The Ying Yang Kickboxng closed 2016 with two major victories in Sicily. Keith ‘the Speed’ Azzopardi won with a KO in the first round and Clayton Desira won on points.