Rodmar Pulis

The Malta Weightlifting Association last weekend hosted the annual competition for clubs at the Cottonera Sports Complex.

Cottonera WL Centre topped the overall standings with 3,648 points to finish ahead of MCAST Naxxar, Starmax and Cross Fit 356.

The competition was highlighted by some excellent performances with 23 national records set on the day while the majority of the participants achieved new personal bests.

The cadets were first on stage with Rylee Borg successful in all six of his attempts to take first place while Luke Brincat Stellini made his competitive debut for the new weightlifting centre in Mellieħa.

In the male youth competition, Kieran Mifsud stood out, winning the event with 243 points, setting two national records (youths and junior) in the 94kg category with 93kg snatch.

Mifsud finished ahead of Cottonera WL Centre duo Malcolm Camilleri (207) and Owen Bugeja (204).

Matthew Grech (190), Kirstin Coleiro (173) and Andy Grech (157) showed remarkable improvement in their performances in this category.

Rodmar Pulis and Martin Pisani, both of Cottonera WL Centre, managed a total lift of 230kg with Pulis, being the lighter competitor, scoring 283 points to finish ahead of Pisani on 257.

MCAST Naxxar club lifter Chris Schranz managed a total of 165kg to secure 180 points and finish ahead of Calvin Briffa who piled up 166 points.

The women’s category produced a series of national records.

Jessica Edge stole the show when lifting 143kg to break nine national records in the 58kg category for a total of 213 points.

For Edge, it served as the perfect preparation ahead of her commitments in the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow which get under way next week.

Starmax’s Nicole Gatt, who will represent Malta in the Youth Olympics in Nanjing next month, produced a brilliant performance, lifting 121kg to set nine new national records in the 53kg category with a score of 184 points.

Three other national bests came from Sarah Grixti, of Cottonera WL Centre, who hoisted 104kg, followed by Marilyn Grech (75kg) and Beatrix Galea (70kg).