The Maltese national team, above, won the Wales International Open Championships held in Cardiff the past weekend.

The Maltese wrestlers had also emerged winners last December in the Malta Open championships. This time, however, the result was more emphatic because it was held away from Malta. All the wrestlers contributed towards the result.

All coaches agreed that young Gary Giordimaina was the competitor who impressed most in the tournament. He won his two bouts to clinch first place in the 47kg category.

As was expected Adam Vella was supreme in the 60kg winning his three bouts. Veteran Abraham Vassallo, the Maltese team captain, lived up to expectations in winning his two bouts to clinch first place in the 84kg. Aidan Vassallo also won two bouts and the gold medal in the 96kg.

On the other hand George Vassallo and Andrea Saliba both competed in the same 74kg thus ending sharing second place. After winning one bout, David Zammit got the bronze medal in the 66kg.

The final results show that Malta won 14 bouts and lost only five. In all, they won four of the six categories contested.

As always, the Maltese team was under the technical direction of national coach Jesmond Giordimaina while newcomer to the Federation Council, Kenneth Vella, was the other official.