The newly inaugurated Weightlifting Centre at the Marsa Sports Complex recently hosted a major milestone for Maltese sport, as the Malta Weightlifting Association welcomed the 46th edition of the European Small Nations and Malta International Open Championships.

The event brought together over 150 athletes from 15 countries, competing across eight high-level competitions, last weekend on 22nd and 23rd March. 

It was one of the largest international weightlifting events ever held on the island and carried special significance, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of weightlifting in Malta.

Malta’s athletes rose to the occasion, delivering a series of exceptional performances that included national records, personal bests, and several podium finishes.

Tenishia Thornton led the local contingent with an outstanding 89kg snatch and 113kg clean and jerk, earning 260 points and setting multiple national records.

Roberta Tabone followed with personal bests of 86kg in the snatch and 110kg in the clean and jerk, finishing with 245 points.

In the men’s division, 18-year-old Rylee Borg captivated the crowd with lifts of 130kg in the snatch and 156kg in the clean and jerk, accumulating 350 points and breaking numerous national records in the process.

Vlad Baldacchino also impressed, lifting 134kg and 161kg for a total of 340 points and adding to Malta’s record haul.

The country’s younger lifters also left their mark. 15-year-old Nathan Mifsud lifted 88kg in the snatch and 103kg in the clean and jerk, scoring 305 points and setting multiple youth records. On the women’s side, Kim Camilleri Lagana stood out in the youth division, lifting 71kg and 92kg for a total of 240 points.

Malta’s medal tally reflected the high calibre of its athletes. In the European Small Nations Championships, Tenishia Thornton and Rylee Borg both placed first overall in the junior individual category, with Kim Camilleri Lagana and Nathan Mifsud placing second and third respectively. Thornton and Borg also placed first in the doubles junior category.

In the senior individual rankings, Thornton and Borg secured third place overall, while Thornton and Tabone took second place in the senior doubles, with Baldacchino and Borg finishing third. The team of Thornton, Tabone, Baldacchino, and Borg placed second overall in the team event.

In the Malta International Open Championships, Kim Camilleri Lagana took first place in the individual youth category, with Mifsud placing second. Together, they claimed first place in the youth doubles event. In the senior categories, Thornton placed third individually, while she and Tabone placed second in the doubles. Baldacchino and Borg took third.

The Maltese team of Thornton, Tabone, Baldacchino, Borg, Camilleri Lagana, and Mifsud took top honours in the overall team event.

Among the distinguished guests were the presidents of the International Weightlifting Federation and the European Weightlifting Federation, who commended both the state-of-the-art venue and the outstanding level of competition.

Well done to everyone involved!