Junior lifter Mark Formosa has just broken the U-90kg bench press record, establishing the new best mark at 160kg.

Formosa achieved his feat during the first competition of the year held by the Malta Drug-Free Powerlifting Association earlier this month.

The competition was won on points by Mario Mifsud as Kris Mintoff increased the 90kg cate-gory squat record, which he already owns, to 215kg.

Newcomer Mark Abela managed a creditable fourth place in a 14-strong line-up that included Mariel Mifsud, the only female competitor.

The most contested category was the 82.5kg. James Formosa won it by a narrow margin.

Meanwhile, Francis Spiteri, 63, who has set his sights on a world record in his age group, finished with a personal best 185kg lift.