A group of young athletes from Malta Weightlifting Association recently showed off their amazing skills and grit at the top-notch Challenge 210 Cup in Tramelan, Switzerland. Team Malta made a strong start on Day 1, bagging three individual medals that set the stage for the whole event.
The highlight of the competition was in the U-17 Female group, where Kaya Curmi Inguanez and Aaliyah Gatt won gold and silver medals. Kaya ruled with a series of great lifts, starting with 58kg and 60kg in the Snatch, then three perfect Clean & Jerk tries, ending at 75kg. This brilliant show not only made her the best among 17 rivals but also got her named the top female lifter in the U-20 group, putting her far ahead of others her age.
Gatt also did well, lifting a 63kg Snatch and an 84kg Clean & Jerk. In a close fight for silver, Gatt’s last lift, a 3kg personal best, got her second place by just one point, beating her French opponent.
Adding to the success, the Maltese female team of Kaya, Aaliyah, and Shayelle Azzopardi won first place in the female team event, showing their group strength and calm.
For Shayelle Azzopardi, this was her first big contest abroad, where she did well with a solid 60kg Snatch and a 66kg Clean & Jerk, proving she’s one to watch in future events.
Malta’s wins also came in the Male U-13 group, with young lifter Gabriele Frendo getting the bronze medal after six perfect lifts. At just twelve, Gabriele’s technique was spot on, lifting 48kg in the Snatch and 58kg in the Clean & Jerk.
His teammate, Mattias Mifsud, also did well, just missing a medal by two points. With a 28kg Snatch and a 39kg Clean & Jerk at a body weight of only 35kg, Mattias showed skill that bodes well for Malta’s weightlifting future. Together, the pair from the National Sport School got Malta the top spot in the U-13 Boys Team Competition.
Nathan Balzan, another young talent, also had his first big contest abroad, showing focus as he lifted a 38kg Snatch and a 48kg Clean & Jerk, gaining key experience at this big event.
The Malta Weightlifting Association’s trip to the Challenge 210 Cup was backed by Sport Malta and the Maltese Olympic Committee, whose support for young athletes has helped these rising stars shine on the world stage.
