The Malta team has kicked off its journey at the European Under-20 Weightlifting Championships in Warsaw, Poland, with remarkable success. Competing in the 49kg category, Kim Camilleri Lagana delivered an outstanding performance, clinching Malta’s first-ever medals in the European Junior Championships.
In the Snatch event, Camilleri Lagana made a strong start, successfully lifting 63kg and 65kg, though narrowly missing her final attempt at 67kg. Her 65kg lift equaled that of Moldova’s lifter, but because the Moldovan completed the lift first, Camilleri Lagana finished just outside the podium in fourth place.
Great Britain’s lifter secured second place, while Greece took the top position in this portion.
Camilleri Lagana truly shone in the Clean & Jerk, where she began confidently with an 83kg lift that secured her the silver medal, surpassing many seasoned athletes from across Europe. She then attempted an ambitious 89kg in a bid to move up to the silver in the overall standings. Despite her determined effort, she narrowly missed completing the lift. Nonetheless, her performance was enough to earn her a bronze medal for the total, marking a historic achievement for Malta in junior weightlifting on the European stage.
The championships continue this week, with Tenishia Thornton scheduled to compete on Tuesday and Rylee Borg on Wednesday, as Malta’s team aims to build on Camilleri Lagana’s groundbreaking success.
