Wrestler Gary Giordimaina takes silver medal in Sassari tournament

The Malta Wrestling Federation last weekend took part in the 27th edition of the UVW International Tournament Citta di Sassari in Sardinia.

Apart from Malta, the competition attracted wrestlers from Canada, Great Britain, Israel, Switzerland, Sweden and Italy.

The Maltese selection was formed by Gary Giordimaina (57kg), Adam Vella (61kg), Nico Zarb and Nathaniel Buttigieg D’Ugo who competed in the 74kg category.

The Maltese contingent was led by coach Jesmond Giordimaina while Abraham Vassallo acted as international referee.

Giordmaina managed to secure another prestigious result when he won the silver medal in his class to extend his impressive form of late which has seen him win medals in every international tournament he competed in this year.

Giordimaina beat Morteza Madadi, of Sweden, by superiority and then had the better of Briton Harvey Ridings, who is among the competitors at the Commonwealth Games this summer.

In the final, Giordimaina was beaten by Swiss wrestler Thomas Epp to finish with the silver medal.

Adam Vella started his commitments with a win over Yahia Tehami, of Great Britain, by superiority. However, he then was beaten by Italian Alessandro Cimerio and Nils Leutert, of Switzerland, to finish fourth overall.

Still, this result augurs well for his prospects of winning qualification for the Commonwealth Games this summer.

In the 74kg category, Zarb faced Curtis Dodge, of Great Britain, where he was in the lead but a controversial decision by the judges saw him lose the fight

Buttigieg also gave his best during this tournament despite failing to record a win.

On his part, Vassallo officiated several bouts, including a number of finals.

He also had the opportunity to referee fights in a beach wrestling tournament that was held the following day of the freestyle event.

Vassallo is currently stepping up his preparations to officiate at the Grand Prix in Spain.