A few days ago, Noel Coleiro represented Malta in the Mediterranean Championships that were held in Israel.

In this high level competition, Coleiro managed a total of 228Kg. It was a highly competed for event and Coleiro managed the same weights as the lifter representing Spain. Coleiro was a bit unfortunate in losing the third lift but he still managed to beat the Cypriot lifter.

In this competition,n Malta was not competing for final points as the team has to be made up of four lifters; a senior, a Junior, a male youth and a female athlete. Competitions of this calibre require a lot of financial backing and therefore it was not possible for Malta to send a full team and had to settle for the one lifter.

Jesmond  Caruana accompanied Coleiro and also served as technical official during the competition.

Also accompanying the team to serve as Technical Official was David Saliba.

This competition was made possible through the help of Eleiko Company of Sweden.

Another event held by the Weightlifting Association was the national Awards held on 21 December at the Cottonera Sports Complex.

Trophies were presented to the winners of the National Championships held earlier this month. Other honours awarded during this event were: The Most Improvement Newcomer 2011 awarded to Francesca Mercieca and Matthew Attard, the Most Improvement Challenge Trophy won by Destiny Vella Busuttil and Rodmar Pulis, the trophy for Most Promising Lifter was won by Jovan Relic. Another two awards for achievements during 2011 were awarded to Nicole Gatt for breaking 41 National Records and Rodmar Pulis for breaking 44 national records. This event was sponsored by Kunsill Malti Ghall-Isport and Paparukie Catering.

In a speech by the President of the Association, Jesmond Caruana recalled the work that had been done during the year, local competitions had risen to nine during 2011. There was also an increase in training camp participation - both local and international - the amount of participating athletes has risen to 49 (14 of them being females).

Malta participated in 12 international events with 36 athletes and officials. But the best accomplishment for the association was certainly the 101 national records broken during 2011.

Caruana also commented on his plans for  the coming year urging both athletes and coaches to keep working hard so that when Malta hosts the Commonwealth Championships at the beginning of 2013, these games will be a success.

Caruana and the association were also honoured this year on his appointment as Technical Official for the upcoming London Olympics by the International Federation.