As the Maltese athletics season gets underway, a new generation of athletes is proving that they are ready to challenge the established names. Throughout two highly competitive meetings, young talents stepped into the spotlight, breaking records and delivering standout performances that signal an exciting year ahead.
Emerging Sprinters Steal the Show
The men’s 60m sprint provided a fascinating glimpse into the shifting balance of power in Maltese sprinting. In the first meeting, Jacob El Aida Chaffey (Zurrieq) stormed to victory in 6.94s, ahead of seasoned sprinter Luke Bezzina (Pembroke) at 7.15s. Meanwhile, Luca Gerada (Rush AC) secured third place in 7.18s, equalling the Under-18 national record.
One week later, national 100m record holder Beppe Grillo (Pembroke) reclaimed the top spot with a 6.84s finish, edging out El Aida Chaffey by 0.14s. However, it was Jacques Borg who made history, taking third in 7.31s—matching the Under-16 national best.
The women’s sprint also saw a rising star make her mark, as Thea Parnis Coleiro (Rush AC) outpaced her more experienced competitors to win in 7.70s. She finished ahead of Alessia Cristina (7.97s) and Rebecca Sare (8.06s), setting new national records at both Under-18 and Under-20 levels.
Record-Breaking Middle-Distance Runs
Middle-distance events saw more young athletes challenging long-standing records. Isaac Bonnici (Rush AC) impressed in the 600m, winning in 1:20.08 to set a new senior record while also rewriting the books for the Under-20 and Under-23 categories.
Over the 1000m distance, two rising names confirmed their potential, with Michael Debattista Segond (Pembroke) clocking 2:31.90 and Mireya Bugeja (Zurrieq) finishing in 2:53.97—both securing new Under-20 national bests.
Another major milestone came in the 60m hurdles, where Kayleigh Anne Ellul (Rush AC) showcased her talent by setting a new Under-16 and Under-18 record with a time of 9.60s.
A New Era for Maltese Athletics?
With several promising athletes already making headlines, this season is shaping up to be one of transition, as younger runners push established names to raise their game. The next big test comes this Saturday, February 8, at the Winter Championships in Marsa, where these rising stars will look to cement their status among the nation’s best.
Sports Editor
Veteran Journalist
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