Team Malta continued its encouraging campaign at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Sunday, with Philippa Busuttil making history in artistic gymnastics while the lawn bowls team produced another series of determined performances.
Historic appearance for Busuttil
Philippa Busuttil became the first Maltese gymnast to compete in a Commonwealth Games all-around final, completing the competition with a total score of 41.50 across the four apparatus.
Having qualified among the leading gymnasts from across the Commonwealth, Busuttil opened her campaign on the uneven bars, where she completed a demanding routine to score 9.750.
She encountered difficulties on the balance beam but recovered well to complete her routine before producing an impressive floor exercise, which included three successful tumbling passes, among them a double tuck and a double twist. Her routine earned a score of 10.450 and was praised by commentators for its choreography.
Busuttil concluded her competition on the vault, capping another milestone performance for Maltese gymnastics on the international stage.
She will return to action on Tuesday when she competes in the balance beam final.
Memorable comeback for Rixon sisters
Connie and Rebecca Rixon produced one of Malta’s most remarkable performances of the day in the women’s pairs lawn bowls competition.
Facing reigning world champions Tonga, the Maltese duo appeared destined for defeat after losing the opening set 10-0.
However, they responded magnificently in the second set, raising their level to claim a 6-4 victory and force a tie-break, which they won 1-0 to complete a memorable comeback.
The sisters were unable to maintain that momentum later in the day as they suffered a straight-sets defeat to South Africa’s Thabelo Muvhango and Jacqui Janse van Rensburg, bringing their women’s pairs campaign to an end.
After losing the opening set 7-0, the Maltese pair mounted another spirited fightback and looked capable of forcing a tie-break before a decisive shot from the South African skip turned the contest in her team’s favour. South Africa went on to win the second set 8-5.
Parnis continues impressive run
Shaun Parnis continued his excellent form in the men’s singles with another impressive victory.
The Maltese bowler dominated the opening set against India’s Putul Sonowal, winning 10-4 before the second set ended in a hard-fought 7-7 draw.
His first-set success was enough to secure the overall victory and continue his strong campaign in Glasgow.
Monday programme
Team Malta returns to action on Monday with athletes competing across three sports.
Claire Azzopardi and Graham Pellegrini will begin Malta’s athletics campaign in the 100 metres qualifying heats, while Kim Camilleri Laganà competes in the women’s 53kg weightlifting event.
Shaun Parnis will also continue his men’s singles lawn bowls campaign when he faces Falkland Islands’ Cecil Alexander.
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