HiTT Academy is now in its first year and the junior National Championships results show that the hard work is reaping the desired rewards.

Of the 13 main events, HiTT academy players succeeded in claiming 12 first- or second-place finishes besides a third place, adding up to the two victories and two runner-up spots in five consolation events.

Among the star performers was Gabriel Grixti. He won the U-13 singles event and was runner-up in the competition for U-15s.

Grixti also teamed up with his brother, Isaac, to win both U-13 and U-15 doubles tournaments convincingly before partnering Andrew Gambina in the U-21 doubles event where they also placed first.

Gambina was a close second in the U-21 singles final with Andrea Portelli third.

The U-18 doubles event was dominated by HiTT players as all four finalists hailed from the academy.

In the title match, Adam Zouari and James Camilleri beat Andrea Portelli and Gabriel Grixti 3-2.

In the singles event, Camilleri had to settle for the runner-up position and Portelli and Zouari were classified joint third.

Meanwhile, Isaac Grixti and Isaac Darmanin claimed the top two spots respectively in the Plate event as Liam Wells was second in the U-15 plate competition.

Success was also achieved in the girls events. Therese Genovese won the U-18 singles and her sister Sascha was third.

On their debut in the cham-pionships, Kayleigh Farrugia and Rachel Mifsud delivered encour-aging performances in the U-11 and U-13 events respectively.