Kevin Moore jubilant after winning the 400m race and handing Malta its first gold medal and the only one, so far, of the Luxembourg GSSE, yesterday. The Australia-based sprinter ran the distance in 47.53 seconds. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Kevin Moore handed the country its first gold medal in the 2013 GSSE after a resounding win in the 400 metres final at the Josy Barthel Stadium, yesterday.

It was a timely boost for Team Malta as finally we moved off the bottom of the classification standings, albeit still way off the standards we aspire to be in this arena.

The track and field team failed to lift off on Tuesday after an opaque display on Day One of the athletics competitions.

However, Moore produced the goods when it mattered most as yesterday he put up a commanding run in the one-lap race to dash home first in 47.53 seconds.

Trailing behind were Icelandic sprinters Ivar Jasonarson (48.05) and Kolbeinn Gunnarson (48.21).

“It feels awesome to have won the country’s first gold medal in these Games,” Moore told The Times of Malta.

“Perhaps, this medal will relieve a lot of pressure from our shoulders and I am really happy for myself to have delivered such an important result.

“There was a lot of pressure in our team after Tuesday where we had to contend with difficult weather conditions and some of us didn’t perform to the best of ability.

Kevin Moore showing his gold medal. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

“But, hopefully, this gold marks a fresh start and we can push on and get more medals.”

The 400m victory takes further significance as it came just a few weeks after Moore had suffered a bad hamstring injury that could have ended his hopes of representing Malta in these Games.

“Seven weeks ago I picked up a hamstring injury in a 100 metres race and I feared the worst,” Moore said.

“But luckily I recovered earlier. Now I am looking forward to Saturday’s 4x400 where we can aspire for another top-three finish.”

In the women’s 400m, Lara Scerri, admitted to the race after an error from the judges on Tuesday had ruled her out, failed to challenge as she finished sixth in 59.22secs.

The gold medal was won by Iceland’s Anita Hinriksdottir in 54.29.

Diane Borg succeeded in reaching tomorrow’s 200 metres final after placing third in her heat with a time of 25.17secs. Nicole Gatt, however, did not progress after finishing fourth in her heat in 26.27.

In the men’s long jump, Rashid Chouhal had a best leap of 6.88 metres to finish fourth while team-mate Andy Grech managed 6.79 metres and classified sixth.

Improvement

MOC Director of Sport Ivan Balzan sounded satisfied with the team’s improved efforts on Day Three of the Luxembourg GSSE.

He said: “We have finally won our first gold medal here and there were positive results elsewhere including judo, table-tennis, swimming and gymnastics. Our athletes have stepped up their efforts and we are looking forward to an exciting closing two days of competition.

“We also have two finals in tennis and we’re confident of more positive results in other sport.

“Obviously, there were some upsets but I can’t fault anyone for not giving their best. The most important thing is for the team to stay united and to continue with their good work.”