Feelgood Spa Cup powerlifting championships

The 2007 Feelgood Spa Cup for Powerlifiting was a successful initiative in all respects. Twelve participants gave a spectacle of muscle and might to over 100 spectators who filled up the ballroom at the Preluna Hotel and Spa in Sliema.

Mario Mifsud, the local shotput and discus champion, showed he is ready and able to compete in world class competitions. On his way to winning this Championship Cup, Mario lifted 660 kg, accumulating 385 points, much to the delight of the enthusiastic crowd.

Second placed was Emanuel Schembri, with a total lift of 557 kg, earning him a total of 326 points, while one of Feelgood's representatives, Erton Caruana, at a trim 66 kg bodyweight, earned third place lifting a total of 390 kg and gaining 303 points.

The refereeing and running commentary of Matthew Muscat Inglott, the Yorkshire and Northeast Counties Middleweight Champion, and bronze medallist at the British National Middleweight Championships, together with the efficient and fast bar-loading and spotting of the Popovic brothers and the valid support of all Feelgood Spa staff, contributed to a highly contested competition in a friendly and entertaining atmosphere.

Matthew was the driving force behind the event, which was intended to promote and revive powerlifting sport in Malta.

Feelgood's Sean Galea came fourth with his 387 kg total for 294 points, followed by the young football player Kurt Vassallo who at just 16 years of age, represents the growing worldwide shift towards stronger, faster, and more powerful athletes. Vassallo lifted a total of 345 kg for 258 points.

Kevin Mifsud narrowly missed out by just 1.5 points with his 380 kg total for 257 points; a great achievement after taking up the sport just several weeks ago. Another young newcomer, Philip Bugeja, showed he has the raw power to go far in this sport with his 241 points.

Daniel Debono and Darryl Poulton occupied the eighth and ninth spots with their close final scores of 240 and 239 respectively.

Ex-bodybuilder Emanuel Vidal placed second to Mario Mifsud in the bench press-only competition, and local road running champion Gerald Grech also made a presence showing the importance of strength training in any effective athletic preparation programme.

This event would have not been possible without the support and sponsorship by Feelgood Wellness Spa, Preluna Hotel and Spa, Nina's Wine Bar and Bistro, Exotique, Thomas Smith Travel & Insurance and eFitnessMalta.com.

Besides the trophies for the first three placings, over Lm80 in prize money collected from raffle tickets was shared among the top five lifters.