The Malta Weightlifting Association said it was satisfied with the performances and results at the Malta Open Championships which were held recently at the Cottonera Sports Complex.

Various categories were contested and among those leaving a good impression were young lifters – Kieran Mifsud, Owen Bugeja and Sarah Grixti.

At the end of the champion-ships all three were presented with Young Talented Athletes certificates and thanks to their positive results they earned the right to represent the country at the European Union Championships in Rome, next month.

The championships got underway with the competition for cadets.

A good number of lifters took part in this stage and although still very young, they produced promising results and showed good skills.

This category was won by young Rylee Borg.

Next up on the platform were women lifters.

The Under-17 event was won by Sarah Grixti, lifting a total of 105kg, for 112 points.

The competition for seniors saw Nathalie Borg in superb form and strongly becoming one of the main protagonists in the sport. She finished with 149 points.

Male juniors and Under-17 lifters also performed at a high level, with six new national records established during the championships.

Mifsud, 15, lifted a total of 235kg for 264 points. He won the juniors title ahead of Owen Bugeja (200kg and 237 points) and Andy Grech.

Bugeja then set two new records for the 94kg category after a 94kg snatch while Mifsud set four new records in the 94kg+ category with a 105kg snatch and a total of 235kg.

The competition for seniors was highlighted with some impressive lifts and a spate of new personal bests.

The overall winner was Rodmar Pulis, lifting a total of 227kg and scoring 288 points.

Mifsud was the runner-up and Martin Pisani third with a total of 236kg and 259 points. He was followed by Matthew Camilleri – 199kg total and 241 points.