Gary Giordmaina spoke on his development in the sport of wrestling in Malta when he met Ben Camille during this week’s edition of GAME ON.
The son of national coach Jesmond Giordmaina, Gary has established himself as Malta’s top wrestler and has also managed to win a lot of medals in international competition, the last being a gold medal in the UK Championships.
“Wrestling is not a very popular sport in Malta,” Gary Giordmaina said.
“I started practising the sport when I was only six years old. I used to come to training with my father and started doing some things. As I grew up I was able to add more elements to my training until I finally could wrestle.
“Unfortunately in Malta, we don’t have so many wrestlers of a high level with whom you can compete every week so I end up going and competing abroad. Luckily, we have forged a great relationship with the English Association and during the year I compete a lot there.
“This year, I took part in the UK Championship that brought together the best talent ahead of the 2022 Commonwealth Games. I competed in the 57kg category where I won all my four fights to take home the gold medal.”
Jesmond Giordmaina is surely one proud father, seeing his son doing so well in the sport.
Being the Malta national coach, Jesmond Giordmaina has been involved in the sport for almost 50 years and says that the sport has instilled in him many important values.
“I have been involved in wrestling since the 1970s and there was never one period in my life where I moved away from the sport,” Jesmond Giordmaina said.
“As a wrestler, national coach and committee member, the sport has given me a lot. For me this sport can help a person to nurture some important values. The biggest for me is without a doubt discipline both in the sport and in daily life.
“Wrestling has always been my passion and my enthusiasm in the sport keeps me going and hopefully I can help more youngsters develop in the sport.”
Hottest games predictions
The challenge between Ben Camille and Times of Malta Sports Editor Valhmor Camilleri is heating up, as they continue trying to predict the results of the hottest games happening this weekend.
How did they do last week?
Ben Camille made little inroads on Valhmor Camilleri’s lead after week 13 of the hottest games of the week challenge.
In fact, Ben Camille managed to predict the outcome of all three matches chosen last week, namely that Liverpool would beat Newcastle, Milan would overcome Fiorentina and Hibernians will overcome Birkirkara to end the week with 30 points.
Valhmor Camilleri guessed that Hibs would beat Birkirkara and that Liverpool would have the better of Newcastle to bag 20 points.
Total Scores after week 13
In the overall standings, Valhmor Camilleri leads the way with 520 points while Ben Camille is trailing with 420 points.
We will keep you updated with a tally of their scores every week. A correct result (picking a win, draw or defeat) is worth 10 points. The exact score earns 40 points.
Liverpool vs Tottenham (Saturday at 20.45)
Liverpool will be determined to keep up the pressure on leaders Manchester City when they host Tottenham at Anfield.
The Reds are in great form and their spirits are high after reaching the Champions League final with a come-from-behind win over Villarreal in midweek.
Liverpool are currently just one point adrift of leaders Manchester City and have the opportunity to pile up the pressure on the Citizens as a win against Spurs would temporarily put them at the top of the standings ahead of the Blues meeting with Newcastle on Sunday.
However, Liverpool will be aware that they are likely to have their work cut out by Tottenham who are chasing fourth spot in the Premier League that would see them return to the Champions League next season.
Antonio Conte has urged Tottenham to be “brave” when they face quadruple-chasing Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday in a match that could prove pivotal for both teams.
Spurs are currently just two points adrift of fourth-placed Arsenal and the Italian said he wanted his side to play their own game at Anfield after drawing 2-2 against Liverpool at home earlier in the season.
Ben Camille’s prediction: Liverpool vs Tottenham 2-0.
Valhmor Camilleri’s prediction: Liverpool vs Tottenham 2-1.
Birkirkara vs Ħamrun Spartans (Saturday at 16.00)
Ħamrun Spartans and Birkirkara will face each other in a crucial showdown that will decide which team will finish in third place in the BOV Premier League standings and book a place in the UEFA Conference League qualifiers this summer.
At present, the Spartans enjoy a one-point lead over the Stripes and a win on Saturday afternoon would seal a return for the outgoing Malta champions to European football after a 30-year absence.
The Spartans are coming from a bright patch in the league which has seen them record wins over new champions Hibernians and Gżira United while only a missed last-minute penalty denied them the spoils against Floriana.
But no doubt, Branko Nisevic will hope his team show better finishing if they are complete the job on Saturday.
On the other hand, Birkirkara will be keen to overcome the Spartans’ challenge as they look to reclaim the third spot in the standings, a position they held for the majority of this season.
Birkirkara have only picked one point from the last two matches and head into this encounter following a 3-1 defeat to Hibernians.
But the Stripes will have the belief they can record their second win over the Spartans this season to ensure they reach their main objective this season – qualification to European football.
Ben Camille’s prediction: Birkirkara vs Ħamrun Spartans 2-2.
Valhmor Camilleri’s prediction: Ħamrun Spartans vs Birkirkara 1-0.
Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid (Sunday at 21.00)
Atletico Madrid will be hoping to preserve their fourth spot in the La Liga when they host champions Real Madrid in a fierce derby on Sunday.
Atletico, who are only three points ahead of Betis, will hope Real Madrid’s sensational comeback against Manchester City on Wednesday in the Champions League, which required extra time and a heap of emotional and physical energy, might take its toll at the Wanda Metropolitano.
After already wrapping up the league title last weekend with four games to spare, the momentous victory over City means Carlo Ancelotti is expected to rotate against Atletico, with the likes of Luka Modric, Karim Benzema, Toni Kroos and Vinicius Junior all due a rest.
Atletico should be primed to take advantage but Diego Simeone’s side are in the middle of another rocky patch, having won only one of their last six games, including a defeat by Athletic Bilbao last Saturday.
Ben Camille’s prediction: Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid 0-2.
Valhmor Camilleri’s prediction: Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid 1-1.
Do you reckon you can beat Ben and Valhmor? Let us know your predictions for this weekend’s hottest matches in the comments below.
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