Watch: Weightlifter Tenishia Thornton crowned European Junior champion

Tenishia Thornton added another remarkable result to her already impressive CV in international weightlifting after she was crowned as European champion at the continental Junior Championships thar are being held in Warsaw, Poland.

In a thrilling showcase of power and perseverance, Thornton kicked off the Snatch portion with an impressive 86kg lift, but drama unfolded as she narrowly missed her second attempt at 89kg.

Battling fiercely against a field of elite athletes, Thornton refused to back down, coming back with a vengeance to nail her final attempt at 89kg.

This successful lift saw her secure the lead, finishing ahead of Turkey’s Yezda Akar who placed second with 88kg and Lavinia Magistris, of Italy, who took third on 87kg.

But the excitement didn’t stop there.

The Clean and Jerk presented an even steeper challenge for Thornton.

Starting strongly at 107kg, she aimed for 110kg, only to falter on the jerk.

As other athletes surged ahead – most notably Romania’s Anca Giorgiana Grosu, who soared to 111kg – Thornton found herself momentarily in fourth place.

In a dramatic final attempt, she summoned every ounce of strength and determination, smashing the bar with a spectacular lift of 112kg.

This exceptional lift not only secured her spot at the top but also set a new national record to the delight of the crowd present.

With a total lift of 201kg, Thornton stood tall as the European champion ahead of Spain’s Uxia Romero Saco on 194kg and Anca Grosu on 193kg.

Thornton’s latest impressive result was made possible by the relentless support of the Maltese Olympic Committee and SportMalta.