Final lift determines overall winner at national championships

The Malta Weightlifting Association competitive calendar for 2009 was completed earlier this month with the National Championships at the Cottonera Sports Complex.

Two 15-year-olds stole the show during the championships as Kimberly Coleiro lifted a total of 83 kgs while Rodmar Pulis had a personal best in Clean and Jerk, 90 kgs, and total, 155 kgs.

Clint Grech continued to show promise in the 69 kgs category and in doing so he also broke the national record, hoisting an impressive total of 203 kgs. Clive Zammit was second with a total lift of 162 kgs.

The 85 kgs category for seniors was won by Noel Coleiro with a total lift of 227 kgs. He was followed by Stephen Borg, 203 kgs, and Charles Degiorgio, 150 kgs. The latter has been practising Olympic weightlifting for only a few months and looks a sure bet to climb up the national rankings in the near future.

The 105+kg category was won by Emanuel Schembri with a lift of 255 kgs.

There was a fierce battle for the overall classification where those present were made to wait until the very last Clean and Jerk lift as the top three were separated by less than two points.

Grech was eventually crowned national champion with 271.94 points, followed by Coleiro, 271.15, and Schembri, 270.53.

The trophy for the most improved lifter in the youth section went to Pulis and the junior division award was claimed by Mark Sapiano. Schembri got the title for the seniors with 28 points.

Three referees, Alfred Ellul Mercer Gordon Cachia and Carmel Azzopardi did a perfect show and the nationals ran smoothly also thanks to the contribution of the new committee and volunteers