From 15 March to 22 March, Malta will take centre stage in the European strength sport calendar as it hosts the European Open Classic Powerlifting Championships. A total of 274 athletes from 35 nations will compete for continental honours in what promises to be one of the most competitive editions to date.
The championship will be staged at the InterContinental Hotel, turning St Julian’s into a hub of elite powerlifting for an entire week.
Malta’s National Team
Under the guidance of Lead Coach Joseph Abela, a nine athlete Maltese squad will step onto the platform across seven weight categories, facing some of Europe’s strongest lifters.
The Maltese athletes and their respective categories are as follows:
On Sunday 15 March, Maria Farrugia and Merlina Marinova will compete in the women’s U47kg category.
On Monday 16 March, Shawn Farrugia will take part in the men’s U74kg category.
On Tuesday 17 March, Neil Bezzina will compete in the men’s U83kg category.
Thursday 19 March will see Jurgen Dalli and Ian Pace contest the men’s U93kg category, while Laura Chetcuti Dimech competes in the women’s U69kg category.
On Friday 20 March, Maria Pezkine will compete in the women’s U76kg division, with Alessandro Gatt representing Malta in the men’s U105kg category.
Powerlifting consists of three core disciplines: the squat, the bench press and the deadlift. Each athlete is given three attempts per lift, with the highest successful attempt in each discipline contributing to their final total. The athlete who registers the highest combined total in their respective weight class is declared the winner.
With home advantage and strong preparation behind them, Malta’s representatives will be aiming to deliver competitive performances on the continental stage in front of a local crowd.
