No national records on second day

The 2003 National Championships came to a close yesterday with the second day programme at Marsa.

Over 120 athletes took part in the weekend event organised by the Malta Amateur Athletic Association (MAAA).

No national records were established yesterday with Mario Bonello and Tanya Blake clocking new championships marks in the 200m and 400m respectively.

Bonello dashed home first in 21.52 to better Rachid Chouhal's previous record. Double GSSE gold medallist Blake, who could feature in an IAAF Madrid meeting race later on this month, won the 400m race in 55.07.

On Saturday, there were three national records. Darren Gilford in the 100m (10.55), Rebecca Camilleri in the long jump (5.95m) and Jean Paul Callus in the javelin (53.44m).

Yesterday, Chouhal claimed the long jump title with a 7.51m leap - his best performance of the season. His previous best arrived in the GSSE last month when he won gold after clearing 7.50m.

Charlene Attard pipped Deirdre Farrugia to take the 100m title in 12.53 yesterday. Missing from this race was Celine Pace. Yesterday, she left the islands to take part in the World Youth Championships in Sherbrooke, Canada, which start on Wednesday.

In Saturday's opening day of the championships, Mark Herrera had set a new junior record in the 1,500m (3:59.47). He made it a double of successes last weekend after topping the 800m race as well in 1.56.19.

The remaining fixture on the MAAA 2003 calendar is scheduled for next Friday with the start of the Clubs' League.