We love celebrating local achievements, and this girl deserves it all. Meet Tenishia Thornton, a tiny but mighty Maltese weightlifter that took home Malta’s first ever bronze medal in the annual European Union Weighlifting championship held in Waterford, Ireland. #YAS!

The 13-year-old competed in the Under 15 age group, challenging athletes from Estonia, Croatia, Austria, France, Denmark, Great Britain, Hungary, Spain, and Poland. The Polish and Spanish athletes went head to head in a battle for the gold, leaving the bronze medal up for grabs. It was none other than Tenishia who snatched it up; a proud moment for the team!

Tenishia finished with 189.6 points and also set new records in the championships in the 45kg category with a total of 122kg. Slay it!

The Maltese team in its entirety included 13-year-olds Tenishia Thornton and Rylee Borg, as well as 16-year-old Shelby Mangion Vassallo. Rylee had a tough preparation due to an injury but powered through. Shelby, due to illness in the days leading up to the competition, decided that she wouldn’t push to the limits and still finished with a respectable score.

Congrats to the whole team!