The second qualifying competition of the season, organised by the Malta Weightlifting Association at the Cottonera Sports Complex last weekend, was won by Noel Coleiro.
Coleiro lifted 239kgs for a total of 279.26 points.
Christian Saliba was second on the day with an accumulated total of 205kgs that gave him 245.59 points. Rodmar Pulis was third with 188kgs and 239.67 points.
The top three lifters earned the right to represent Malta at the tournament for small nations, to be held in Monaco in April.
Perhaps, the most outstanding performance during Sunday’s competition was that of the upcoming Pulis who established new national records in his category. The first was achieved when he hoisted a clean and jerk of 108kgs. He exceeded that with another lift of 110kgs, establishing new marks for the 77kgs youth and junior categories.
Other participating lifters in the qualifying competition were Kristian Mintoff, 221.63 points, Ryan Agius, 221.46, and Cleaven Cutajar, 136.12.
A special guest for this competition was Ruth Kasirye, of Norway. She lifted 210kgs for 252.41 points.
During her stay in Malta, Kasirye, along with her coach Richard Markeng, conducted a training camp that was well-attended by Maltese lifters.