The Malta Weightlifting Association (MWA) recently organised the second ranking event which was an important part of the national team members’ build-up for this weekend’s European Small Nations Competition in Cyprus.

Kyle Micallef took the honours in the men’s senior class with a total of 262kg and a score of 311 points but he narrowly failed to better the national records in the 94kg category.

Rodmar Pulis and Ryan Agius, with 295 and 290 points respectively, finished second and third.

Micallef, Pulis and Agius have been selected to represent Malta in this weekend’s European Small Nations Competition.

Andy Grech produced the best result in the junior section after lifting 190kg for a total of 240 points.

In the competition for male lifters in group B, which mostly featured newcomers, Chris Schinas lifted a total of 170kg for an overall score of 30 points. He was followed by Andrè Buhagiar and Jannik Pace who were tied on 210 points.

Vlad Baldacchino and Michael Fava amassed 191 points.

The female lifters caught the eye with their bold efforts resulting in a spate of new national records.

Pamela Psaila claimed the title after lifting a total of 140kg for an overall tally of 191 points, setting four new national records in the 63kg category in the process.

Second place went to Yazmin Zammit Stevens who hoisted 139kg for a total of 179 points.

Zammit Stevens, who achieved a new national record in the 69kg category, and Psaila are part of the Maltese team competing in Cyprus.

Dorianne Attard was third on 161 points after edging Kristen Borg, 160, and Elisia Scicluna, 158, in a tight finish.

The best youth athlete was Shazel Gusman who lifted a total of 96kg while the best female junior was Rebecca Fitz who pushed up a total of 100kg. Fitz established seven new national marks in the 69kg category.

Rylee Borg stood out among the boys (cadets) with a total of 129 points while the best result for girls was recorded by Shelby Vassallo who obtained 94 points.