Degiorgio lifts top prize

Charles Degiorgio is the overall winner of the fourth edition of the National Championships, or­ganised by the Malta Drug-Free Powerlifting Association.

Degiorgio lifted 185kgs in the squat, bench pressed 110kgs and deadlifted 225kgs to win the -75kg category and the overall title on points, just ahead of Mark Briffa who was runner-up.

Third place in the overall classification went to the winner of the -82.5kg section, Alexandr Dolgopolyk, while Kris Mintoff, who successfully defended the -90kg title, was a close fourth .

Daniel Debono (-75kg), Dolgopolyk (-82.5kg) and Josef Spiteri (-90kg) secured the best bench press award in their respective categories.

Eighteen lifters contested the five weight divisions at this year’s National Championships.

Mariel Incorvaja was the only female participant. Teenager Mark Formosa shattered the national bench press record in the -82.5kg category with a 133.5kg press.

But, Formosa’s joy was short-lived as a few minutes later, Dolgopolyk bettered his mark with a 135kg lift. Formosa’s attempt to exceed the new record with a 135.5kg lift was to no avail.

Mario Mifsud, the former world champion and last year’s winner of the national title, endured a disappointing day after failing a 170kgs bench press after squatting 235kgs.

He tried to make amends by attempting a world record in the deadlift with a 312.5kg pull but missed narrowly to go home empty-handed. However, Mifsud is expected to bounce back with a strong performance at the World Championships in Glasgow next November.

Mintoff (90kg) also failed to set a new national record of 255.5kg in the deadlift. A few weeks ago, Mintoff gained a confidence boost with a positive showing at the European Championships in Bourne­mouth where he placed fourth.

After the contest, Wim Backeland, the president of the World Drug-Free Powerlifting Federation, presented the trophies to the winners.