The Malta Weightlifting Association (MWA) has just organised a competition, the first of two qualifying events ahead of selection for the Mediterranean Cup.
Notwithstanding the hot conditions, an encouraging number of lifters, including females, battled it out for the top places with three gyms, Cottonera, MCAST Naxxar and Starmax, fielding competitors at the Cottonera Sports Complex.
Nicole Gatt established three national records in the youth 44kg category with a 25kg snatch and a 32kg clean and jerk for a total of 57kg. Destiny Busuttil was second and Gabriella Grima third.
Two lifters from MCAST Naxxar finished with personal bests on the day.
Christian Saliba increased his snatch to 89kg and clean and jerk to 115kg. He was third overall. Team-mate Ryan Agius lifted 70kg, placing a respectable fifth place overall.
Cottonera’s Clint Grech made two seasonal personal bests by increasing his snatch to 91kg and total 203kg, earning the runner-up spot behind Commonwealth Games hopeful Emanuel Schembri. The latter had a total of 260kg.
Rodmar Pulis hoisted a total of 140kg overhead, to finish sixth in this competition, refereed by Jesmond Caruana, Kristian Mintoff and Ramona Borg.
Meanwhile, the IWF appointed official Caruana as one of the technical officers for next month’s Delhi Games. Coach Stephen Borg will accompany Schembri in the MOC contingent for the Commonwealths.
This is a busy period for the MWA as preparations are underway for participation in Puttinu Cares activities in Marsascala on September 18. This will be followed by the organisation’s annual general meeting at the Cottonera Sports Complex on September 25.
The Cottonera Sports Complex has just undergone refurbishment for the upcoming Mediterranean Cup and training camp, all under the supervision of the Kunsill Malti għall-iSport.
The gym’s official opening is scheduled for September 24.
On that occasion, the MWA will also award certificates to successful candidates who sat for the referees course earlier in the season.