Moore completes 400m treble

Kevin Moore lived up to his status as the fastest 400 metres runner in GSSE competition after scorching his way to an emphatic victory in the final at the Laugardalsvollur Stadium yesterday.

It was Moore’s third straight 400m victory after winning titles in the previous two editions, held in Liechtenstein and Luxembourg.

The Australia-based sprinter’s success earned Malta its second gold medal at this year’s Games to end the third day of competition with an overall tally of two gold, eight silver and eight bronze medals.

Janet Richard was another star performer in the Icelandic capital as the young runner won a silver medal in the 400 metres women’s race.

But it was Moore’s display that set the Maltese contingent abuzz yesterday as he led his race right from the start to power home in 47.86 seconds.

Iceland’s Kolbeinn Gunnarsson was second in 48.44, ahead of Georgios Avraam, of Cyprus, in 49.84.

Malta’s Reece Dimech just missed out on a medal when placing fourth in 50.13 seconds.

“I’m really happy to have made it three medals in a row,” Moore said.

“I came here with the sole aim of retaining my title for the third successive edition and I’m proud to have achieved my goal.

“During the race I felt fine and controlled my rivals, so all went very well.”

Minutes later, Moore was back in action in the 200m heats and again breezed into the final in 21.79 seconds.

In the women’s race, Charlotte Wingfield had a day off as her semi-final was scratched after one of the entries pulled out. Wingfield, who won the 100m race on Tuesday, has automatically progressed to tomorrow’s final.

There was further joy for Malta in the women’s 400m as Richard placed second in a new personal best of 55.96.

Iceland’s Pordis Steinsdottir won the race in 55.72 while Kalliopi Koutnouri, of Cyprus, placed third in 56.14.

“I’m so pleased to have finally won my first individual medal in a GSSE,” Richard said.

“Two years ago I failed to make it to the final but this year I wanted to do better and winning the silver medal is so special for me.

“I was surprised to clock a new personal best in these cold conditions. Now I’m looking forward to Saturday where I hope I can help my team win another medal.”

Francesca Borg was sixth in 57.38 seconds.

Director of sport satisfied

Mario Micallef, the MOC director of sport, sounded pleased with the efforts of Team Malta at the end of day three of competition.

“I’m satisfied with how things are going,” he said. “Two gold medals, eight silver and eight bronze is a good tally with two days still to go.

“Tomorrow (today) we are hoping for a good result in judo and obviously looking forward to the track and field events on Saturday.

“Hopefully more medals will come our way.”