Three Maltese athletes proudly represented Malta at the World Weightlifting Championships held in Forde, Norway, marking another important step forward for the nation in the international sporting arena.

Competing in the women’s 69kg category, Roberta Tabone delivered a strong performance on the world stage. She opened her campaign in the snatch with three successful lifts at 84kg, 86kg, and 88kg, demonstrating composure and consistency. In the clean and jerk, Roberta managed 109kg and narrowly missed her final attempt at 112kg. With a combined total of 197kg, she secured second place in her group; an encouraging result that underlines her steady progress at international level.

Fellow teammate Tenishia Thornton, also competing in the 69kg category, faced a tougher challenge as she continues to recover from injury. The athlete bravely attempted her opening snatch at 100kg but was unable to complete the lift. After experiencing pain, she made the difficult decision to withdraw from the competition. While her campaign ended early, the team remains optimistic about her recovery and confident she will be ready to return to full strength for the upcoming European Junior Championships, which take place in just three weeks’ time.

Meanwhile, Rylee Borg represented Malta in the men’s events with determination and grit. In the snatch, Rylee successfully lifted 117kg and 120kg, narrowly missing his third attempt at 123kg. Moving into the clean and jerk, he added lifts of 153kg and 156kg before falling short at 160kg. His combined total of 276kg earned him fifth place in his group.

The championships carried additional significance, serving as a qualification event for the upcoming Commonwealth Games, adding further weight to the Maltese athletes’ participation.

Well done to all the athletes involved!