Kickboxing: Daniel "the Jet" wins in Marseille

This time he brought back the European Title Belt in Savate.

"The Jet" faced Loic Beccaria in a 7x2 match with Savate rules where athletes had to wear traditional footwear used to combat in this sport discipline. The match was for the European Title Belt of IFKB, which was previously held by. Beccaria, and who himself promised that it would remain in France.

Although Beccaria had the height advantage it did not help him with Zahra. In fact the Maltese athlete began attacking close to obstruct any French action. During the seven rounds Zahra economized his strength and continued until the end with the same rhythm. After each attack he began to change strategy to find different entries and take the points. It was in the fourth round that he took a decisive point with a spinning back fist to Beccaria's head that sent him on the canvas. Zahra started to take the points with his leg techniques to the head and with jumping spinning kicks that is so known for.

Zahra has just come from a Kickboxing match in Portugal broadcasted live on Eurosport before the final match of the Boxing competition Biggers' Better. That time he lost with a controversial decision that gave the victory to the Portuguese athlete, but Zarha never backed down. Indeed this victory showed his talent and great technique and keeps on going till the end, no matter who his opponent is.

Noel Azzopardi was the second Maltese athlete who took part in the competition and this was his first experience of a match abroad. In November he was one of the Maltese athletes who won his match against athletes from Northern Ireland. This time he competed with Fabien Toledano in a 5x2 match in Savate as well. He maintained the same level of the French athlete and kept on giving counter attacks but the final decision gave the victory to the French by points.

The French newspapers showed their admiration to Zahra for an excellent exhibition. Despite the difference in the discipline he was using the same techniques of professional Savate athletes, especially those involving "jumping spinning kicks" and leg techniques to the head.

The organizer of the event is of Maltese descent and for this occasion also invited the Maltese Ambassador Pierre Clive Agius who went to Marseille especially from Paris to see the Maltese contingent. He was very pleased with the Maltese victory and was unaware that in Malta we have so much talent in this kind of sport. Both Zahra and Azzopardi train with Team Noel Ying Yang Kickboxing under Master Noel Mercieca. The next Kickboxing activity will be on the 21^st of June for the next Gladiators Night in the Greek Theatre' at Ta 'Qali.

For more information visit www.yingyangkickboxing.com or contact Master Noel Mercieca on 79208283 or [email protected]