This Sunday, the Malta Weightlifting Association’s National Championships became a stage for outstanding athletic prowess, showcasing a mix of budding talents and seasoned competitors.
The event highlighted the sport’s burgeoning popularity across all age groups, from the youngest under-10s to senior veterans, marking a significant day for weightlifting in Malta.
The competitions began with the cadet divisions, where young lifters demonstrated their potential. Mia Sant, a student from NSS, led the U-10 category with a total lift of 49kg. Lucia Mifsud won the U-12 division, lifting an impressive total of 50kg.
In the boys’ division, Samir Geriwa outperformed his peers in the U-10 category with a total of 62kg. Gabriele Frendo, another NSS athlete, dazzled the crowd in the U-12 division with a record-breaking 52kg snatch and 60kg clean and jerk.
The event continued to gather momentum with remarkable performances in the Youth, Junior, and Senior categories. Nathan Mifsud set new national records in the Male Youth U-15 division, lifting an 80kg snatch and a 100kg clean and jerk in the 55kg weight class.
The female competitors were not to be outdone. Kim Camilleri Lagana dominated the 55kg class across the Youth U-17, Junior U-20, and Senior divisions, with lifts of 66kg in the snatch and 90kg in the clean and jerk. Aaliyah Gatt triumphed in the 64kg category with lifts of 66kg in the snatch and 87kg in the clean and jerk, also sweeping the Youth, Junior, and Senior divisions.
Highlighting the Junior U-20 and Senior competitions, Tenishia Thornton shattered several national records in the 71kg class, with a total lift of 173kg, setting a high bar for the upcoming World Championships in Bahrain, where she will represent Malta along with Kim Camilleri Lagana and Rylee Borg.
On the men’s side, Rylee Borg captured the Junior and Senior titles in the 89kg category with a record-breaking total of 267kg, comprising a 121kg snatch and a 146kg clean and jerk. Anton Micallef followed with a total of 252kg to secure second place. Shaun Ciantar clinched the Senior 102kg title with a total of 252kg, and Luke Treeby Ward led the Junior 96kg category with a 225kg total.
The championship was not merely a competition; it was a vibrant celebration of the strength and spirit of Malta’s weightlifting community. With such remarkable performances, Maltese weightlifters are gearing up to make a significant impact on the international scene.
