The Malta Weightlifting Association (MWA) organised the Malta Open championship at the Cottonera Sports Complex on Sunday.

The first competition of the day was open for cadets only.

An encouraging number of youngsters, all aged under 15, participated.

Rylee Borg, with 131 points, produced the best result among the boys followed by Kyle Camilleri on 101 points and Jason Spiteri in third place on 70.

In the Under-15 girls section, Shelby Vassallo led the way with a total of 105 points while in the U-17, top spot was claimed by Shazel Gusman who garnered 123 points.

Gusman also set four new national marks in the 69kgs youth division after lifting a total of 97kgs.

Andy Grech was the winner of the men’s U-20 division with 233 points.

First place in the senior women’s competition went to Yazmin Zammit Stevens who lifted a total of 149kgs for a tally of 196 points. She also set two national records in the process in the 69kgs division.

Jessica Borg Ghigo was second behind Zammit Stevens with a total of 180 points followed by Kristen Borg, 157.

The final competition of the day, the men’s seniors, was the main attraction of Sunday’s event. Attracting a good turn-out, the competition was the most keenly-contested event at the Malta Open.

Matthew Camilleri secured the title with an accumulated 277 points.

Kyle Micallef’s 255 points earned him second spot ahead of Vlad Baldacchino, third place with 251.

Positive results were also recorded by a group of new lifters.

Yannik Pace gained a total of 233 points while Camilleri brothers Owen and Kurt were both just shy of breaking the 200-point mark.