Recently the Malta Amateur Wrestling Federation held its annual championships at the Naxxar Boys Secondary School. A total of 21 athletes participated in this year’s championships with some very keen bouts witnessed during the competition.
The most keenly contested category was the 69kgs Cadet with five athletes vying for the title. In the end, Adam Vella prevailed with a hard fought victory over second placed Andrea Saliba in a balanced encounter which required three full rounds to determine the winner. The two contenders had earlier disposed of their opponents namely Matthew Vella, Renee Coleiro and David Zammit. This meant that the final bout between these two wrestlers was to determine first place. In the end, Vella’s shrewd moves enabled him to clinch victory and win the Cadet 69kg category.
Elsewhere, a thrilling encounter was witnessed between Johan Camilleri and Aidan Buhagiar in the combined 76/84 kgs category. No points were registered in the first round and from the resulting clinch, seasoned Camilleri won the crucial point to win the first round.
The second round was likewise balanced with Camilleri squandering a 2-1 lead to enable his opponent to draw level. Given that Buhagiar scored the final point, he was awarded the second round to set up a decisive third round.
Once again, the two wrestlers failed to register a point during the normal two minutes of combat and the drama continued with the final clinch which was to determine the winner.
Having already lost the first round, Buhagiar maintained his cool to score the vital point and victory. This was possibly one of the best bouts witnessed in this year’s championships with the two wrestlers displaying some fine moves and excellent defensive strategies.
Benji Micallef claimed the 85kgs Cadet Category following convincing displays against his opponents. Micallef had the better of William Galea in the first bout and then went on to register victory against Jack Lenicker and Romario Paris to become national champion in this weight category.
Gary Giordimaina, son of national coach and ex-wrestler Jesmond Giordimaina claimed the 38kgs Schoolboys category with an easy win over Bernard Sant. Giordimaina also won another out of competition bout in a combined weight category against Kieran Parnis.
In the final classification, Naxxar`Boys Secondary Club prevailed with a total of 76 points followed by Stella Maris College on 36 and Qawra Wrestling Club placing third with 8 points. FILA International Referee Paul Farrugia and local refree Abraham Vassallo controlled the bouts with the federation’s president Simon Bonello acting as Mat Chairman. Cups and medals will be presented later this month during a gala diner for members of the federation.
The next competition will be held on Sunday January 13th 2008.