Young Talent Shines at the Malta Open Championships
The Malta Weightlifting Association recently hosted the highly anticipated Malta Open Championships, a national competition that welcomed athletes from all age categories — from budding young lifters to seasoned competitors. The event saw a healthy turnout, with a particularly strong showing of youth athletes, showcasing the rising talent in Malta’s weightlifting scene.
Men’s Division: Rylee Borg Claims Top Honors
In the men’s seniors and juniors category, Rylee Borg delivered an outstanding performance, lifting a total of 277kg and scoring 338 points, securing him the championship title in both divisions. His consistent form and technical execution set him apart on the platform. He was closely followed by Vlad Baldacchino, who lifted a slightly higher total of 282kg but scored 321 points, highlighting the importance of bodyweight in the scoring system. Luke Treeby Ward rounded out the podium with a solid performance to secure third place.
Women’s Division: Tenishia Thornton Dominates
In the women’s division, Tenishia Thornton once again affirmed her dominance by clinching both the Senior and Junior titles with a combined lift of 176kg, amassing 230 points. She was trailed by Kim Camilleri Lagana, who impressed with a 155kg total and 228 points, securing second place. Kim didn’t leave empty-handed, however, as she also claimed gold in the U17 category with her strong performance. Aaliyah Gatt followed closely behind in this age group, registering an impressive 161kg total and 208 points, while Kaya Curmi Inguanez put up a valiant effort, scoring 200 points for a tight fourth-place finish.
Rising Stars in the Youth Categories
The championships also served as a platform to spotlight future stars in the sport. In the U11 Girls category, Mia Sant emerged victorious with a total lift of 61kg and 106 points. She was followed by Cayenne Mizzi with 75 points and Zeyah Vassallo who scored 69 points, both showing great potential at such a young age.
In the Boys U15 category, Nathan Balzan stood out with the best result, scoring 202 points. He was closely challenged by Gabriel Frendo, who finished with 200 points in what was one of the most competitive finishes of the day.
More young athletes delivered impressive results, and we are likely to hear their names alongside top athletes very soon.