Hectic 2003 for Mifsud Bonnici
Where there is a will, there is a way... and that definitely applies for 32-year-old female triathlete champion Maria Mifsud Bonnici who, after merely six years of training, has claimed various honours also on the international scene. Mifsud Bonnici...
Where there is a will, there is a way... and that definitely applies for 32-year-old female triathlete champion Maria Mifsud Bonnici who, after merely six years of training, has claimed various honours also on the international scene.
Mifsud Bonnici today juggles her life between her full-time job and five hours of training six days a week.
"The past year was probably the best in this top athlete's short but inspiring sports career," coach Andy Colbourn commented on Mifsud Bonnici recently.
She kicked off the 2002 season in style, winning the March International Sprint to become the first Maltese triathlete to win this race. She went on to claim second and fourth placings in two races in Italy before placing first in the Cyprus International Sprint and the Leybourne Lakes Triathlon Series.
In the Triathlon Championships for small European nations, Mifsud Bonnici not only placed second but went on to establish a new national record of 2:16.38. However, she then had to settle for 19th place in the Commonwealth triathlon but made up for that by breaking her own new record in a race in Cyprus. The new mark is 2:12.08.
Powerade sponsorship
In 2003, Mifsud Bonnici will be benefiting from the sponsorship of General Soft Drinks Co. Ltd's Powerade energy drink which was recently launched in Malta.
Marketing manager Martin Agius said: "The association between Mifsud Bonnici and Powerade is perfect as the tag line 'Get Up Stay Up' augurs well for the successful triathlete. She certainly does not look back and her array of achievements only serve as an adrenalin rush to keep her going."
Following a meeting with Mr Agius, it was also announced recently that Powerade will support the Malta Triathlon Association as well for the coming season. General Soft Drinks Co. Ltd already supply the MTA with Kristal water for its races.
Mifsud Bonnici's 2003 calendar includes no fewer than 15 events, in Malta and abroad. The first race of the season is the duathlon championships, scheduled for Sunday, March 23 at Salina.
Race calendar 2003
23-03-03 National Duathlon championships
19-04-03 Easter Sprint
26-04-03 Gozo-Malta triathlon
25-05-03 Triathlon championships of small states of Europe
13-07-03 Bastille Triathlon
27-07-03 Al Fresco Swim-Run for All
05-10-03 National Triathlon championships