Born in Sicily, Antonino Spatola immigrated to Germany alone in 1969 and settled in the Volkswagen city of Wolfsburg, Lower Saxony. He very ambitiously learnt German in a very short time, integrated himself in an exemplary manner and completed an apprenticeship as an industrial mechanic. In 1974, Antonino married his wife Ilona, née Mittelstädt, and they have two children, Antony (*1978) and Loredana (*1980), as well as four grandchildren: Antonio and Diego Spatola from his son and Leyla and Mehlia Öz from his daughter.

For 42 years, Antonino initially worked as a skilled worker at Volkswagen, most recently in the plastics laboratory as a quality inspector until 15 September 2011 in quality assurance.

At the age of 71, he is enjoying early retirement.

Antonino started karate at TVJ Wolfsburg in 1970 and discovered Bruce Lee and his films six months later. Inspired and additionally motivated, he trained even more eagerly. A kung fu show organised by VfL Wolfsburg finally convinced him to learn kung fu. Antonino perfected the kung fu style "Tang Hup Mu Doo Kwan" under the guidance of Malaysian master Chun Fook for many years.

In 1980, Antonino took part in the North German Championships in Hamelin in full contact and became North German Champion. He later won the German championship in Bayreuth. In 1981, he fought against Hollywood star Marc Dacascos at the North European Kung-Fu Championships in Hamburg and was runner-up in the European Lightweight Championships. In 1983, he took part in the European Open Championships in Koblenz and became European Champion.

In 1988, Antonino founded a kickboxing section at the Italian football club "U.S.I. Lupo Martini e.V." and taught as a trainer and section leader. In 1991, he founded the Niedersächsischer Kickbox Verband e.V. (NSKBV) and led it first as vice president and later as president. In 1993, he founded his own kickboxing club, the Amateur Kick-Box Club e.V. (AKBC), and has won countless national and international titles with his protégés as head coach.

Antonino Spatola is a "great martial arts teacher" and is known far beyond Germany's borders for his excellent qualities as a master and master maker of the "old school". He is a man of calibre who strives for perfection, not only as a trainer and teacher, but also in teaching techniques and developing the skills of his students.

Martial arts is his life. Antonino practices kickboxing and boxing with unbridled passion and willingly passes on his knowledge to inquisitive talents. Many claim that the holder of the 8th DAN in kickboxing turns everything he touches with his hands into gold.

On 25 September 2009, Antonino was honoured by the city of Wolfsburg for his voluntary work in the field of sport.

In 2011, he achieved the admission of the Lower Saxony kickboxers to the State Sports Association (LSB). The umbrella organisation WAKO Germany honoured him as a pioneer at the 2011 IDM in Hamburg with the golden badge of honour. In 2012, Antonino was awarded the golden badge of honour by the Lower Sachsen Sports Federation (LSB) for his exemplary voluntary club work.

It was a great honour for Antonino Spatola to be awarded the 8th master's degree by the WAKO Germany Executive Committee at the 2019 German Championships in Lünen.

On 14 June 2013, Antonino travelled to Hanover to receive the Lower Sachsen Sports Medal at the Sports Forum of the Academy of Sport. This state honour from the federal state of Lower Saxony was presented by Interior Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) on behalf of Minister President Stephan Weil (SPD).

Antonino Spatola has received numerous honours for his services to sport. Since 1987, he has worked tirelessly in various voluntary roles and made significant contributions to the promotion of sport and youth work. He was actively involved in ensuring that young people received an education. He was also strongly committed to integration and helped migrants to successfully integrate into society.

In addition to his work in the club and the Lower Saxony Kickboxing Association, Mr Spatola was an honorary national coach for WAKO Germany for ten years (1992-2002) and is still the state coach of the Lower Saxony Kickboxing Association. In these roles, he has trained and promoted numerous athletes who have achieved national and international success:

**WAKO Professional titles:**

- 10 world champions in professional kickboxing

- 2 European professional kickboxing champions

- 3 Intercontinental professional boxing champions

- 1 German professional boxing champion

- 2 German professional kickboxing champions

- 2 Intercontinental professional kickboxing champions

Amateur title:**

- 1 Olympic boxing participant: Patrick Wojcicki (London 2012 in boxing)

- 2 World champion in amateur kickboxing

- 4 European amateur kickboxing champions

- 1 Junior European Kickboxing Champion

- 1 Junior World Champion in kickboxing

- 3 Junior Vice World Kickboxing Champions

By Peter Kruckenhauser WAKOPRO-Germany

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