Team Malta began its campaign at the 20th Mediterranean Games in Taranto, Italy, on Saturday, with athletes competing in badminton, cycling, skeet shooting and raffa.
The opening day produced a mixture of encouraging performances and early challenges, with Stefan Farrugia securing a victory in raffa and Malta’s cyclists recording solid results in a competitive individual time trial.
Badminton
Malta’s mixed doubles pair Francesca Clark and Samuel Cassar were eliminated in the Round of 32 following a 21-10, 21-12 defeat to Italy’s David Salutt and Martina Corsini.
The Maltese pair faced an experienced Italian partnership and struggled to find their rhythm in the opening game. Clark and Cassar produced a more competitive display in the second set, but the hosts’ greater experience saw them close out the match in straight games.
Cycling
Andrea Mifsud and Aidan Buttigieg represented Malta in the 17-kilometre individual time trial through the streets of Taranto.
Mifsud produced the stronger of the two Maltese performances, clocking 21:26.80 to finish ninth, while Buttigieg finished 13th in 21:57.39.
The event featured a strong 22-rider field, with the podium separated by just eight seconds.
The Maltese cycling team will be completed on Monday when Bernard Galea joins Mifsud and Buttigieg for the 140-kilometre road race, which includes a number of hilly circuits and could prove better suited to the Maltese riders.
Shooting
Andrรฉ Cassar and Liam Sciberras were in action in the skeet shooting qualification, completing three rounds of 25 targets.
Cassar ended the day in 10th place with a score of 68, while Sciberras was 13th on 66.
Both Maltese shooters will return to the range on Sunday for the final two qualifying rounds, with the top eight progressing to the next stage of the competition.
Raffa
Stefan Farrugia registered Malta’s most successful result of the day, defeating Slovenia’s Nik Svara 10-5.
Farrugia built an early advantage before his Slovenian opponent fought back during the middle stages of the contest. However, the Maltese athlete regained control and dominated the final four ends, outscoring Svara 6-0 to seal the victory.
Farrugia will return to action on Sunday morning when he faces France’s Aurelien Corbihan.
Sunday will also see Malta competing in two further disciplines. Alycia Cassar will take to the taekwondo mat in the women’s -67kg event, where she faces Croatia’s Ivana Arelic at 10am, while wrestler Nico Zarb begins his campaign in the men’s elimination rounds at 10.30am.
Sports Editor
Veteran Journalist
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