Sixteen swimmers from Aquahub Malta – recently took part in the 18th Edition of the Trofeo Piskeo an International Swimming Competition which was held between the 24th and 26th May in Messina, Italy.
For many of the younger swimmers this was their first ever international participation in a competition abroad which experience was received and exploited to the full.
The competition spread over three days in an open air 50m pool managed by the SSD UNime (University of Messina) on the slopes of the port town of Messina where a record number of swimmers – 4182 in total – took part – starting from the very young six year old beginner and cadet categories to the open categories with 42 participating teams from many Sicilian clubs but also from many other regions of Italy, Croatia and Aquahub Malta.
The swimmers took part in a variety of events and relays with Vince Farrugia bagging a bronze medal in the 50 breastroke event with a time of 30.55. Many other swimmers notably registered personal best times. The event was of a high level of competition with many regional champions taking the podium and registering meet records.
Thanks to partial funding by Sport Malta, Aquahub’s participation in this foreign event helped its swimmers gain further confidence and inner strength when in a new environment while broadening their perspectives in the sport.
Head Coach Julian Harding who accompanied the team said that this meet was a great preparation for the end of competitions in Cottonora being held in the beginning of July which will end the local swimming season.
The Trofeo Piskeo is organised in remembrance of Mirko Lagana’ a regional Sicilian champion backstroker by his family and in association with FIN ( Federazione Italiana Nuoto) Sicily.
