Young sprinter Thea Parnis Coleiro sets two U-20 records in a week

Thea Parnis Coleiro continued to demonstrate her steady progression with a stunning result during Athletics Malta’s Challenge Meeting held on May 1.

Competing in the 200 metres, the young sprinter dashed home in a time of  24.17s, an Under 20 and Under 18 national record.

The young Rush AC athlete doubled up on her equally spectacular result achieved the weekend before, when she lowered the same records in the 100m race.

Parnis Coleiro was fast out of the blocks and dashed home in an excellent time of 11.79 seconds.

Parnis Coleiro, who has already obtained her qualification standards for the upcoming Games of the Small States of Europe that will be held in Andorra, finished ahead of Pembroke’s Claire Azzopardi, who stopped the clock at 11.87 seconds, and Alessia Cristina, who placed third in 12.39 seconds. 

Pembroke Athleta runner Beppe Grillo reaffirmed his dominance in the men’s sprint races when he dashed home first in the 200m.

Grillo crossed the finish line in a time of 21.26 seconds and edge out Matthew Galea Soler of La Salle (21.79s) and Graham Pellegrini (21.98s).

Kayleigh Anne Ellul, fresh from winning two bronze medals at the recent International School Games in Serbia, maintained her strong form of late when setting two national bests in the Under 16 category.

Competing in the 80m hurdles race, Ellul crossed the finish line in 12.42 seconds. Then she was on the starting line of the 400 metres hurdles and here she completed the distance in a time of 1:06.58.

Among other notable performances, La Salle’s Matthew Azzopardi completed his 800m victory in 1:58.45.

Athletes will be back on track on May 17 for the final Challenge Meeting, leading up to the National Championships.