The two relay teams finish on the podium as Mya Azzopardi chops off almost three seconds off national record

Five medals, two silver and three bronze were obtained by the Maltese swimmers on the first day of the swimming programme in Podgorica. Two personal bests were obtained by Sasha Gatt in the 800m freestyle, and by Dylan Cachia in the 200m butterfly, whilst Mya Azzopardi in the 200m medley set a new national record. It was surely a day to remember with both relay teams finishing on the podium for the first time. 

In the men's 100m Harry Stacey won the silver medal with 51.10 seconds, missing the gold by .05 seconds. In the same final Andrew Chetcuti who was second by the half way mark, finished a disappointing sixth with 51.58 seconds.

The second medal was a bronze one and came from the men's 200m butterfly with Mikhail Umnov clocking 2:07.65 to finish third. The other Maltese swimmer in this category Dylan Cachia finished in fifth place with 2:11.47, however improving on his personal best which was 2:12.95.

Malta’s men’s 4x100m team. Photo: Antvin Monsigneur

The third medal, a bronze one from Mya Azzopardi who improved her personal best and national record with 2:21.58 chopping almost three seconds from her previous time of 2:24.54. She said after the race that she was more than satisfied and somewhat surprised with the medals won and new record obtained. She said that she is in very good shape and is looking forward for today's races.

The fourth medal came from the girls in the 4x100m relay team. The team was made up from Mya Azzopardi, Francesca Falzon Young, Martina Valletta, and Michelle Van Rooyen, with the latter making a great comeback in the fourth and final fraction to give Malta the Bronze medal with a time of 3:57.61.

It was not over as the men's relay team gave Malta the fifth medal of the swimming afternoon, claiming silver in 3:28.67. The Malta team was made up of Matthew Galea who started the first 100m, followed by Harry Stacey who placed Malta first by the half way line. The third and fourth fractions were covered by Andrew Chetcuti and Dylan Cachia respectively.

Harry Stacey (left) with his silver medal in 100m freestyle. Photo: Antvin Monsigneur

In the men's 200m medley Mikhail Umnov could only finish fifth with 2:09.67, and Thomas Wareing finished in seventh place clocking 2:13.31.

In the women's 100m freestyle Mya Azzopardi clocked 58.84 seconds finishing sixth and Francesca Falzon Young finished seventh clocking 59.11 seconds.

In the men's 200m backstroke Thomas Wareing missed on bronze finishing fourth with 2:09.00.

In the women's 800m freestyle Michelle Van Rooyen finished in fifth place clocking 9:19.75, with Sasha Gatt finishing sixth with 9:21:44, considerably improving her personal best which was previously 9:28.75.

Dylan Cachia did not take part in the 1,500m freestyle.