The biggest number of entries ever for wrestling Youth Sports Fest was on the mat recently at the Qawra Franciscan Friars Hall. In front of an appreciative crowd, students from 14 schools contested nine different weight categories.

Apart from the encouraging response, officials also noted that a number of young wrestlers had shown technical improvement on the previous competition.

One of these talents was Waylon Mifsud, winner of the 76kg cadet category. He is expected to be included in the Malta selection for the Sicilian Grand Prix in Palermo, in September.

Winston Bartolo gave quite a good account of himself, winning his three bouts to place first in the 85kg for schoolboys. The same could be said of David Galea, the schoolboys 42kg winner.

However, the most contested bout was that between Andrea Gonzi and David Sant that decided the schoolboys 66kg category. Between them these two students scored no fewer than 24 points, 15 of which were obtained by Gonzi, another fine prospect for local wrestling.

International referee Pawlu Farrugia and national referees Lawrence Attard and Abraham Vassallo controlled the bouts.

At the end of the tournament Malta Amateur Wrestling Federation president Simon A. Bonello presented the winners with medals offered by the MOC.

On the same occasion, Bonello presented cups to the schoolboys championships winners. This event, sponsored by British Airways, was held earlier in the season.

Category winners

Cadets: L. Debono 66kg (S.S. Furtu Selvatico Naxxar). W. Mifsud 76kg (Junior College).

Schoolboys: S. Cutajar 32kg (St Francis); D. Galea 42kg (Mtarfa School); B. Spiteri 47kg (Naxxar); N. Portelli 53kg (Mtarfa School); S. Schembri 59kg (Savio College); A. Gonzi 66kg (San Andrea School); W. Bartolo 85kg (St Aloysius College).