IWF Junior World Championships 2024. took place in the city of León, Spain.
Sixteen-year-old Kim Camilleri Lagana was the first Maltese athlete in action, competing in the 49kg B category. Kim began with a successful 64kg Snatch. She then attempted 66kg but was unsuccessful. In the Clean and Jerk, she opened with a strong 84kg and followed up with another successful lift at 86kg. She concluded the competition with a total of 150kg. Kim placed 7th in her group and 11th in the World ranking.
Tenishia Thornton has become the second athlete from Malta to compete. Thornton participated in the 64A weight category, delivering a determined performance. In the Snatch, Tenishia opened with a solid lift of 85kg. She then attempted 88kg but narrowly missed on her second try. However, she showed great resilience and successfully lifted 88kg on her third and final attempt. In the Clean and Jerk, Thornton faced challenges as she opened with a 106kg lift but missed the jerk due to abdominal pain. Nevertheless, she came back stronger, securing the 106kg lift on her second attempt. In her final lift, she strategically added 1kg more than her direct Italian rival, lifting 109kg with ease. Tenishia finished the competition with a total of 197kg, which, although not her personal best, earned her a commendable 10th place in the world rankings.
Rylee Borg was the last Maltese athlete in action, competing in the 81Kg C category. Rylee had a shaky start in the Snatch, initially missing his first attempt at 113kg. However, he successfully lifted 113kg on his second attempt and then followed it up with a successful lift of 116kg. In the Clean and Jerk, Borg opened with a successful 142kg. On his second attempt at 147kg, he unfortunately missed the Jerk. Determined, he tried again at 147kg in his third and final attempt, which he successfully lifted. This placed him 3rd in the Clean and Jerk within his group. Borg placed in 22nd place in the World Ranking
Both the 147kg Clean and Jerk and his total of 263kg were new Maltese Junior and Senior records.
This concluded the Maltese team’s participation in the World Championships on a positive note.
This competition was possible with the help of the Maltese Olympic committee and SportMalta.
