The 41st edition of the European Small Nations Tournament and the International Open were held last weekend with lifters representing nine countries were in competition at the Cottonera Sports Complex.

Malta’s European Small Nations selection was formed by Yazmin Zammit Stevens, Roberta Tabone, Vlad Baldacchino, Matthew Camilleri and Shaun Ciantar. They managed to finish third overall with Cyprus topping the standings ahead of Iceland’s mixed team.

Zammit Stevens was named best female lifter for these championships.

Malta’s leading female lifter ended her commitments in the -71kg with a national record in snatch of 85kg and then managed a 100kg in clean and jerk for a total of 185kg that corresponded to 238 points.

Roberta Tabone (-71kg) finished with 69kg snatch and 91kg clean and jerk for 203 points. 

In the men’s group, the best result came from Baldacchino (-96kg) who set national marks in both snatch and clear and jerks with efforts of 127kg and 145kg, respectively, for 306 points.

Shaun Ciantar (-81kg) set a new record in snatch with 108kg snatch before lifting 128kg in clean and jerk (298.74 points).

Thirty-five-year-old Matthew Camilleri (-89kg) also had a great meet with 105kg snatch and 130kg clean and jerk to end with 280.37 points.

The women’s team finished second overall while the men’s selection placed third.

The Maltese contingent won the bronze medal finishing ahead of Monaco and San Marino.

The Charles Mifsud International Open saw teams from England, Ireland, Slovenia, Serbia and Malta participating.

The Maltese contingent was made up 13-year-old Tenishia Thornton, Elisia Scicluna, Anton Micallef, Rodmar Pulis and Martin Pisani.

Thornton not only won best youth lifter in these championships, but also finished in second place overall in the senior division.

Thornton finished with a personal best snatch of 51kg and a 60kg clean and jerk while also setting new marks in the 45kg category, youth and juniors.

Scicluna (-87kg) finished with 76kg snatch and 95kg clean and jerk.

Malta’s female team formed by Thornton and Scicluna finished second overall with Ireland taking the honours and England placing third.

Rodmar Pulis (-89kg), who has been struggling with a shoulder injury, had a strong showing considering his fitness problems as he finished with 86kg snatch and 130kg clean and jerk.

 Martin Pisani’s (-96kg) managed a 100kg snatch and 122 clean and jerk. Anton Micallef, after successfully lifting 105kg in the snatch, he missed all his attempts in the clean and jerks, hence he did not manage to post a total.

This inevitably affected the men’s team overall result albeit they managed to place second and win the silver medal.