A sizeable audience recently filled the gym hall of the Naxxar School for the National Championships for cadets, schoolboys and schoolgirls.
Naxxar Boys Wrestling Club were the most successful team after winning four gold medals.
Qawra Wrestling Club followed with one gold, three silver and three bronze and Stella Maris Wrestling Club were third with one gold, three silver and two bronze.
The only team involved in the championship for girls came from the Qawra club.
As expected, Gary Giordimaina, of the Naxxar club, took first place in the Cadet 54kg while Daniele Zingariello, of Stella Maris, was runner-up.
Naxxar’s Franklyn Sciberras had a hard time to beat Qawra’s Jurgen Agius for first place in the Cadet 58kg and the 63kg title went to Naxxar’s Mark Galea after winning a decisive bout against Nico Zarb.
Ismael Bondin, of Stella Maris, had to settle for second place after losing to eventual winner Wayne Formosa, of the Naxxar club.
The Cadet 87-100kg went to Samuel Portelli, of Stella Maris, after beating club-mate Luca Amato. On the other hand, Qawra clinched gold in the Schoolboys 47kg after Liam Zammit got the better of team-mate Tristian Zammit.
The Qawra club girls contested four categories.
The winners were Amy Chircop (44kg), Emma Farrugia (57kg), Angele Galea Cesareo (57/62kg) and Janette Zarb (65kg).
The referees were Abraham Vassallo and Lawrence Attard while Jesmond Giordmaina and Kenneth Vella were mat chairman and time-keeper respectively. Federation president Simon A. Bonello was also present for the occasion.
The next important date for the federation will be the Malta International Open on Saturday, December 8.