16-year-old Maltese weightlifter Tenishia Thornton has just made history after becoming the first local athlete to be crowned Youth World Champion at the International Weightlifting Federation’s (IWF) Youth World Championships.

This year’s edition of the competition took place in León, Mexico.

Tenishia, who competed in the 55kg Women category, went head-to-head with Egypt’s Noura Essam Helmi Abdelbari Mohamed and Mexico’s Maria Jose Hernanandez Verdin. She managed to triumph over both.

The Maltese athlete lifted an impressive 78kg in the snatch category and 100kg in the clean and jerk category. The latter result also meant that Tenishia set a new national record in her weight class.

Having been the top scorer in both categories, Tenishia not only took home the gold, but also became Malta’s first IWF Youth World Champion.

The Maltese lifter was up against 15 other participants from countries all over the world, such as Italy, Turkey, Ecuador, India, and Australia.

Well done, Tenishia!

Facebook/Tenishia Thornton

Facebook/Malta Olympic Committee