Team Malta place second in European Challenger Championships

The Maltese contingent ended with a strong tally of 111 points, ahead not only of a number of GSSE countries, but also larger sporting federations such as Armenia, Georgia, Albania, Azerbaijan, Kosovo and Montenegro.

Formerly known as the Championships for Small States of Europe, this European competition brings together 17 European federations with an array of top European talent.

Malta obtained this point tally by virtue of three gold medals, four silver and four bronze.

Malta’s gold medallists were Graham Pellegrini in the 200m race, Benjamin Salnitro, who placed first in the 110m hurdles, and Jared Micallef in the 800m.

The Maltese contingent grabbed four silver medals through Gabriel Farrugia in the 5,000m, Gina McNamara (800m), Sana Grillo (pole vault) and the Swedish relay women’s team.

Matthew Azzopardi (1,500m), Nicolai Bonello (pole vault), Claire Azzopardi (200m) and Omar El Aida Chaffey (100m) secured a bronze medal.

Three national records were also broken during these events.

Salnitro set a new 110m hurdles national record, en route to winning the race in 14.52s.

A second national mark was also set in the hurdles, this time in the women’s 400m hurdles with Emma Anastasia Scerri clocking 1:04.59s.

The Swedish women’s team, consisting of Claire Azzopardi, Thea Parnis, Charlotte Wingfield and Martha Spiteri, set a national record at 2:10.24.

At Under 23 level, Gabriel Farrugia continued to lower his national record, this time stopping the clock at 14:35.15 in the 5,000 metres race.

The Maltese delegation was led by Athletics Malta president Mario Bonello and supported by a number of coaches and technical staff.

Team Malta’s participation was supported by the Maltese Olympic Committee and SportMalta.