Nationalist Party candidate Albert Rizzo died yesterday, aged 60, after a long illness that did not deter him from entering the political fray for the last time.

Mr Rizzo, affectionately known as Bertu, was no rookie at facing seemingly insurmountable challenges as he was the first Maltese to hold a world record, that of seawater treading, which he first achieved on 25 September, 1980.

By that day, Mr Rizzo had stayed in the open sea for 72 hours, breaking his grandfather Turu Rizzo’s record, which had stood at 68 hours since 1930. Bertu bore an uncanny resemblance to his grandfather, which made promoter Billy Apap encourage him to outdo his grandfather’s record. He bettered his record further in 1983 (108 hours) and 1984 (132 hours).

A well-known auctioneer, Mr Rizzo was also a former Gzira mayor, having contested local elections both as an independent and PN candidate. He also contested the 2003 general election on the PN ticket and garnered 606 first-count votes. Mr Rizzo was a candidate for the 10th electoral district for this 8 March general election.

In a statement, the PN expressed condolences to the wife, children, relatives and friends and collaborators of the man who loved his hometown and served it in different positions he held throughout his career.

Although his health was deteriorating, the party said, Mr Rizzo was adamant to help the PN and contest on its ticket the upcoming crucial elections.

The party lauded his contributions to local politics, sport and the philanthropy.

Azzjoni Nazzjonali offered its condolences to the Rizzo family and remembered him as a record breaking swimmer and a man of great generosity.