Team Malta: Day One in Glasgow
“You have already achieved something extraordinary by being here. Compete fiercely, be generous in victory, gracious in defeat, wear your colours with pride.” — Dr Donald Rukare, Commonwealth Games Federation President
Team Malta made their entrance at the Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony, led by flag bearer Connie Rixon (Lawn Bowls) and baton bearer Nick Mercieca (Para Powerlifting), as the Maltese delegation proudly marched in.
The ceremony, held at The Hydro, was attended by the King and Queen among several high-profile guests. In his role as Head of the Commonwealth, the King formally declared open the 23rd edition of the Games, which features more than 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories competing across 10 sports and six Para sports.
On Friday, 24th July, Malta competed in Lawn Bowls, Para Powerlifting and Swimming.
Lawn Bowls
It was a day of highs and lows for Team Malta’s lawn bowlers. Shaun Parnis got the delegation off to a fantastic start in the Men’s Singles, recording a convincing straight-sets victory over Kenya, 10–2, 9–4. It was a composed and confident performance that saw Parnis sitting on top of his section by the end of the morning session.
In the Women’s Pairs, Connie and Rebecca Rixon faced Namibia’s Amanda Steenkamp and Diana Viljoen. After dropping the opening set 4–5, they responded brilliantly in the second, dominating to claim it 8–0 and force a one-end tie-break. Rebecca played a superb final bowl to hold the winning shot, but Namibia’s skip Viljoen produced an outstanding last delivery to edge just inside Rebecca’s bowl and snatch the tie-break 1–0.
It was another heartbreaking tie-break defeat for the Women’s Pairs, having lost the previous day’s opening match against India in identical fashion, but the determination and fight they showed to come back into the match was commendable.
Later in the afternoon, Parnis faced Izzat Shameer Dzulkeple of Malaysia. He went down 8–5 in the first set but fought back in the second with some strong shots, ultimately finishing level at 6–6 on the final end. Despite the draw, Malaysia were declared winners by virtue of having taken the first set.
Para Powerlifting
Nick Mercieca marked his debut for Malta in Para Sport with a new personal best in the men’s Para Powerlifting lightweight event. Mercieca opened with a successful lift of 112kg before progressing to 116kg and finishing with 120kg — a personal best, improving on the 114kg he registered at the European Championships last May. His final effort earned him 92.5 points and sixth place in Group B.
Swimming
Sasha Gatt competed in the 400m freestyle heats, registering a time of 4:19.72 and finishing fourth in her heat. Gatt returns to action on Tuesday 28th July for the 800m freestyle heats.
Saturday, 25th July Programme
Team Malta’s lawn bowlers return to action on Saturday 25th July, with the Rixon sisters facing England in the Women’s Pairs and Shaun Parnis taking on Canada in the Men’s Singles in the afternoon.
In the morning, gymnasts Philippa Busuttil, Lyana Curmi Inguanez and Sophie St. John Philippa Busuttil will compete at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in the All-Around and Team events.
