Raising The Bar: Maltese Powerlifters Dominate European Championship And Break Multiple World Records
A group of four Maltese weightlifters rocked up to the European Championships in the UK and absolutely stormed the competition, with one competitor even becoming the 2019 European Powerlifting Champion.
Man of the hour Dylan Callus became the first Maltese person to ever finish first in a international competition, and he did so in style, breaking not one, not two, but three world records and a number of European and nation records as well!
Callus earned his world records when he squatted 290 kilos, deadlifted 320 kilos and lifted a total of 805 kilos
And I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t speak lift-speak but, for context, 805 kilos is around the same weight as a moving van’s trailer, and around 200 kilos heavier than a speedboat. Oh, and for even more context, 200 kilos is around the same weight as a lion or gorilla… suddenly I don’t want to make any jokes at this legend’s expense!
The rest of the Maltese competitors also impressed the international crowds, racking up a number of records
26-year-old Rachel Ann Said’s total was 237.5 kilos split up between her three lifts, which awarded her a first place in the senior under 47.5 kilos category.
Tamasin Mallia, on the other hand, lifted a total weight 300.5 kilos, breaking four national records and 2 European records, while winning in her weight category.
17 year-old Luke Bonanno also shone, his total of 455 kilos earning him a win in his category and 4 national records to boast about.