Tuesday proved to be one of Team Malta’s busiest and most successful days at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, with athletes producing a series of encouraging performances across weightlifting, artistic gymnastics, athletics, swimming and lawn bowls.
Weightlifting
Weightlifter Roberta Tabone produced Team Malta’s best result of the Games so far, finishing fifth in her category after recording a personal best total of 204kg, narrowly missing out on a medal.
The 31-year-old successfully lifted 86kg and 89kg in the snatch before failing at 91kg. In the clean and jerk, she completed lifts of 110kg and 115kg but was unable to register 117kg on her final attempt.
Tenishia Thornton also impressed in the women’s -69kg category. She opened with a successful 90kg snatch before missing at 93kg on her second attempt, only to return and complete the lift on her third effort to establish a new Maltese national record.
Thornton then lifted 114kg in the clean and jerk but was unsuccessful in her two attempts at 117kg. Her combined total of 207kg earned her an excellent seventh-place finish.
Rylee Borg, competing in the men’s -88kg category, finished eighth with a total lift of 295kg, including 129kg in the snatch. As the youngest competitor in his group, Borg’s performance highlighted his considerable potential on the international stage.
Artistic gymnastics
Philippa Busuttil continued Malta’s impressive day by finishing sixth in the balance beam final after competing against several Olympic and World Championship finalists.
Following a successful inquiry, her score was increased from 12.700 to 12.800, leaving her just 0.2 points short of a podium finish.
Busuttil also made history by becoming the first Maltese gymnast to reach a final at the Commonwealth Games.
Athletics
Jared Micallef secured a place in the semi-finals of the men’s 800 metres after producing a composed display in the heats.
He crossed the line fifth in 1:46.99 and will return to the track on Thursday for a place in the final.
In the men’s 400 metres, Matthew Galea Soler clocked 47.38 seconds in a highly competitive heat featuring several Olympic athletes, producing another encouraging performance for Team Malta.
Swimming
Sasha Gatt competed in the women’s 800 metres freestyle heats, finishing third in her race with a time of 8:56.85.
Lawn bowls
Connie Rixon began strongly in her singles encounter against Emily Jim of the Cook Islands, winning the opening ends before her opponent claimed three shots on the final end of the first set to edge it 5-4.
Jim maintained that momentum throughout the second set to secure a 9-6 victory.
In the men’s pairs, Shaun Parnis and Troy Lorimer produced a spirited comeback against Malaysia’s Amirul Abdul Rahim and Mohammad Soufi Rusli.
After conceding five shots in the opening end, the Maltese duo battled back before narrowly losing the opening set 6-5. They responded by winning the second set 4-3 to force a tie-break.
Malta looked well placed in the deciding end after Lorimer built a strong head, but Rusli produced a superb drive with his opening bowl to dramatically change the situation. Despite Parnis’ best efforts with his remaining bowls, Malaysia held on to secure victory.
Team Malta returns to action on Wednesday, with Claire Azzopardi and Graham Pellegrini competing in the 200 metres heats, while Shaun Parnis and Troy Lorimer continue their men’s pairs campaign against Wales.
Sports Editor
Veteran Journalist
Leave a Reply