Għaqda Ġurnalisti Sport announced the semi-finalists of the Sport Malta Awards – Għażliet Sportivi Nazzjonali 2017, Malta weightlifting is proud to see that three nominations have reached the semifinals of these prestigious annual sporting recognition.
Yazmin Zammit Stevens Sport women of the year, main achievement throughout 2017. Yasmin was the first female Maltese lifter to represent us on the senior European platform and finished in a very impressive 15th place overall.
European Small Nations Championships, San Marino; finished with a silver medal at the championships with an excellent performance breaking national records in the process.
ZKC International Club Championships,Placed in 4th place overall from 71 athletes surpassing athletes from Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Canada, Cameroun, Papua New Guinea , Fiji, Kiribati, Guam and Solomon Islands.
World Universiade Games, Taipei, Considered one of the biggest multi-sport events in the world, the World Universiade Games were the biggest platform Yasmin competed on in her career. These Games brought together the best athletes from around the world including Olympians and World Champions. Yasmin Finished in 19th place on the world stage.
Furthermore, along with this stellar performance, she also managed to rightfully qualify for the 2018 Commonwealth Games set to take place in Gold Coast, Australia.
Vladan Mihajlovic championships, Indjija;Yasmin won Malta’s first weightlifting gold medal at the event, placing first overall in the clean and jerk and total part of the competition. The tournament in Serbia brought together athletes from countries considered as weightlifting giants, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Israel, Hungary, Uganda, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia and Malta.
Ljubljana Open Tournament, Ljubljana; Another podium finish with a silver medal this time, beaten by only 1 point by Uruguay.
Shelby Mangion Vassallo Youth Sport women of the year, main achievement throughout 2017,
Mediterranean Cup, Ljublana; Shelby placed right outside of a podium finish at the championships in 4th place. She finished with all round personal best lifts, national records and in general a stellar performance by the 14 year old.
European Union Cup, Rome; Placed in 5th place overall where she was surpassed only by European Youth Championship podium finishers. The major competition included athletes from weightlifting giants such as Italy, Poland and Spain.
ZKC International Club Championship, Even though Shelby was the youngest athlete participating in the international club competition in the 75kg category as a senior, she still managed to perform better than other senior athletes from New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, Nauru, Kiribati and Solomon islands.
Jesmond Caruana, Official of the year, main achievement throughout 2017,
European Championships, Split;Caruana was appointed as head of Jury at the major event. This major meet saw 2017’s most memorable weightlifting moment as super heavy weight, Lasha (Georgia), broke the world record at this very meet where Caruana was Jury.
European Small Nations Championships, San Marino;Caruana was elected by all delegates present as General Secretary of the European Small Nations for the next 4 years.
Commonwealth championships, Gold Coast; Caruana was once as technical official in most important competition for the qualification of the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast 2018.
Vladan Mihajlovic championships, Indjija;Caruana was once again appointed head of Jury at the annual competition in Serbia. He selected by the IWF to give seminars on the rules and regulations and technical aspects of the sport during the days leading up to the event.
European Union Cup, Rome; Elected as president of the European Union weightlifting confederation with the full support of 27 countries.
Local, 2017 Caruana was once again was appointed President of the Malta Weightlifting Association for the next 4 years. He gave a bigger dimension to the sport with higher number of participants and better results both in local and international competitions. During this year 157 national records were broken this confirms more how higher the results are going. Many different programs were successfully launched including, ‘Dynamic fitness’ for schools, ‘Weightlifting sport for all’ for schools and after schools, ‘weightlifting on the beach’ (outside training for summer time). Opening of more weightlifting clubs, especially in the northern part of Malta.
more info: https://www.tvm.com.mt/mt/sports/maghrufa-s-semi-finalisti-tal-isport-malta-awards-ghazliet-sportivi-nazzjonali/