Malta achieved a fantastic second place in the fifth edition of the Athletics Championships of the Small States of Europe, behind winners Cyprus and ahead of 15 other European nations with a string of superlative performances in Gibraltar.
In this event, Maltese athletes competed against all nations represented at GSSE level but also against larger countries such as Georgia, North Macedonia and Armenia, coming back with a fantastic tally of five gold, six silver and three bronze medals, for a total of 14.
The first gold medal of the day came in the 1500m women, with Gina McNamara claiming top spot for Malta in a Championship record time of 4:45.43. She finished ahead of Kosovo’s Gresa Bakraci and Iceland’s Embla Margret Hreminsdottir. McNamara completed a truly busy schedule for her with a medal of each colour, finishing second in the 5k and third in the 800m.
The 200m women race proved to be an all-Maltese affair with Charlotte Wingfield edging out Carla Scicluna as both athletes went on the highest two positions of the podium. Jared Micallef struck gold in the 800m, running the two lap-race in 1:52.87 to finish ahead of Pol Moya of Andorra.
The final two gold medals of the competition were achieved by Malta’s fantastic relay teams, with the quartet of Claire Azzopardi, Charlotte Wingfield, Carla Scicluna and Janet Richard winning ahead of Cyprus and Armenia. The male counterparts were not to be undone, with Graham Pellegrini, Omar El Aida Chaffey, Matthew Galea Soler and Beppe Grillo also finishing top, ahead of Cyprus and Luxembourg.
The other silver medal winners included Luke Micallef (3000m steeplechase), Beppe Grillo (100m), Janet Richard (400m) and Rachela Pace (long jump). Carla Scicluna (100m) and Graham Pellegrini (400m) brought home a bronze medal.
Team Malta finished with a grand total of 115 points, just seven behind Cyprus and well-ahead of 15 other nations, Malta’s best-ever placing beyond our shores in this Championship.
Team Malta was accompanied by Technical Director Mario Bonello. SportMalta and the Maltese Olympic Committee supported this delegation.
