Last weekend, the Malta Weightlifting Association hosted the European Union Weightlifting Cup and the Malta International Open at the Cottonera Sports Complex.

In all, 18 countries fielded their lifters for the two events.

Italy, Spain, Slovenia, Sweden, Poland, Great Britain, Latvia, Estonia, Austria, Cyprus, Ireland, Denmark, Belgium, Netherlands and Malta lined up for the EU Cup while Turkey, Serbia, Scotland and hosts Malta took part in the Open.

With various national federation delegates in Malta for the occasion, the European Union Weightlifting Congress (EUWC) was also held here last Friday.

During the congress, Jesmond Caruana, head of the Malta Weightlifting Association, was elected vice-president of the international organisation.

The opening ceremony was attended by various distinguished personalities including European Weightlifting Federation president Antonio Urso.

He addressed those present and showed his support to the athletes while lauding the organisation of the tournaments.

In the women’s events Malta was represented by young trio Shelby Vassallo, Shazel Gusman and Rebecca Fitz. Owen Bugeja, Andy Grech, Rylee Borg and Shawn Incorvaja figured in the men’s meets.

Vassallo and Borg placed second in the Open U-15 category. Vassallo was also runner-up in the U-17 competition and Fitz was silver medallist in the U-20 meeting for girls.

In the EU Cup team classification, Poland claimed gold followed by Italy and Austria. Malta finished a creditable sixth. The Malta Open was won by Turkey followed by Malta, Scotland and Serbia.