Xuereb sisters looking for more personal bests

Sisters Martina and Francesca Xuereb have been running after each other ever since they took their first breath... literally. The first was born ten minutes before the other. As you might have gathered, the two are twins.

It was only natural, therefore, that this tendency would also manifest itself in their sporting activity.

When Mark Farrugia noticed their potential in athletics he advised them to take up the sport. That was eight years ago and now, aged 16, they are among Malta's finest athletes.

Winners of four medals between them at the most recent GSSE, they offered one of the most emotional moments of the Games when they nailed an historic second and third places in the 400m.

"It was a moment of unforgettable joy as well as satisfaction. I was extremely proud for both of us," says Martina, feelings that are shared by Francesca.

"You can't start to describe the emotions of that moment," she said.

"I was proud and satisfied that all the hard work had paid off."

Despite their success, there remains the feeling among some that it would be better if they were to switch distances to avoid direct head-to-head clashes.

Martina, however, doesn't agree.

"Every person is an individual with their own abilities and should have the opportunity to do his/her best.

"Although there are people who compare us with each other, the fact remains that during a race my sister is my rival and has to be considered like any other athlete," Martina reckoned.

Francesca also touches on the possible confusion that arises from their physical similarities.

She said: "I'm used to this problem now... it has almost become a joke. Rest assured that people would still confuse us even if we switch distances."

The two Starmax AC athletes will be getting plenty of second looks this week as they take part in the World Youth Championships in Ostrava.

And, while the Small Nations Games were undoubtedly the highlight of the Maltese athletics season, neither one of the twins is taking such an important competition lightly in the Czech Republic.

"This year we were focusing on the GSSE because we had to obtain the MQS to qualify but this doesn't mean that we didn't plan for the World Youths," Francesca said.

Martina added: "We trained hard for the GSSE and continued building on after that.

"As with every other competition we have been doing our best to prepare physically as well as mentally and we feel ready for them.

"This will be the first time that I will be taking part in a world competition and there's no doubt that the level is very high but I don't intend to let this distract me from doing my best to post a personal best.

Learning experience

"These championships will be a learning experience for me so there's no way that I was going to arrive here without due preparation."

"The fact that we've been to the GSSE and the European Cup 2nd Division is an advantage," Fran-cesca said.

"Our preparations went well even though it was very tough as we had to sit for a number of exams.

"The level is very high but there is always that little element of luck involved.

"I always aim for a personal best that would mean a national record... provided my sister doesn't beat me, that is!"