The Malta gymnastics clan in Monaco was a happy group after Philip Caruana Turner managed to win a bronze medal in the discipline's baptism of fire.

In fact, this was the first big competition the Maltese boys and girls have taken part in.

They were mostly inexperienced but few showed inferiority complex according to coach Michael Brown.

He said: “We are satisfied with the results obtained here and not just by Caruana Turner’s bronze medal. The boys and the girls performed well and in one instance, we should have been awarded a second place. But I feel Monaco was favoured on that occasion.”

Brown was happy especially for the boys who reached the finals. “I thank everyone for the support. We have produced some positive results. We now look forward to improve, especially if we are provided with the right equipment. I am sure our boys and girls can improve and do much better in future,” he said.

Anna Maria Cassola, Deputy Technical Director of the federation, said she felt the results in Monaco were a big achievement for their athletes. “We won a bronze and we had three other athletes who were very close to reaching the podium. Christine Borg was fifth in the floor, while Jeremy Saywell also finished fifth in the floor and the vault exercises.

“Such results make us very happy. And considering that Jeremy is still 14 years old and was competing against at least one Olympic medallist (an athlete born in Russia performing for Iceland), then his placing grows in stature. I am sure we will improve and do better in Cyprus. The results obtained here should serve as a big boost for those interested in taking up this sport. Our athletes have showed that gymnastics also stands a chance, like all the others,” she said.