This has been a slow season for Maltese athletics. Despite the deadlines set for those wishing to qualify for the Games of the Small States of Europe, very few have performed to the expected level due to an unfortunate combination of injuries and unfavourable weather.

There is, however, one exception... an athlete who has been in superlative form throughout.

At practically each meet, long-jumper Andy Grech has been the star of the show and in the space of four months he has bettered his personal best - as well as the national junior record - from 6.78m to 7.20m.

And the beauty of it is that it doesn't look as if he's finished yet.

The crowd at the Matthew Micallef St John during the recent national championships certainly seemed to think so as they cheered him on every time he set off for a jump.

And, despite setting his latest record, he claims that it isn't something he notices.

"Before I start my run-up to jump, I will only be listening to one person's instructions, and that is my coach Jivko Jetchev," he said.

"The other voices I always try very hard to block out. Then, as soon as I start running it's just myself."

All of which makes it seem as if those cheers are wasted on him.

"Jumping in front of an enthusiastic crowd is always a pleasure," he's quick to point out.

"In fact, they really do push you on. Otherwise there would be no difference between jumping in training and competition. My main target this year was to jump more than seven metres," he added, a claim that further underlines his achievements.

It also highlights how much he has developed after having such a tough time a couple of seasons back.

"I actually had some problem two years ago where I hit a sort of mental barrier. Thankfully there's Andrew Cassar Torregiani who is a very good long jumper of my age and we're constantly pushing each other on."

Grech also has nothing but words of praise for Rashid Chouhal, still the doyen of Maltese jumping and the man he eventually has to beat in order to claim the senior national record.

"Rashid is a very good source of motivation and inspiration," Grech said.

Having excelled so much this season, Grech's selection for the GSSE is richly deserved.

"Qualifying for the GSSE was always at the back of my mind," he admits.

"It will be my first time and I am looking to gain experience rather than aiming for medals.

"Then again, if an opportunity for silverware were to come along, then I wouldn't be found wanting."