The COJI Games opened on Thursday and the Maltese athletes who were in action in athletics and gymnastics registered some good results.

Athletics

The Maltese athletics contingent for COJI2012, being held in the quiet city of Cagliari, is made up of 13 youths between the ages of 15 and 17.

On the first day of the games, five girls participated in their events while all the seven boys were in action. Most of these competed in the 100m event where Luke Bezzina managed an honourable fourth place in 11.54s while Eric Borg Saywell was very glad to make it to the final despite his young age. Robyn Zammit was the only girl who was a finalist in the 100m.

On the field, Luke Farrugia competed in the Shot putt using hid rotational throwing style while Bradley Mifsud managed a sixth place with a personal best jump of 5.93cm. This is a positive performance since rarely do Maltese jumpers improve their performances when competing overseas.

At the same time, on the track, Clarissa Cremona ran in the 1,500m while Thomas Farrugia and Nicole Gatt performed in the 400m. Thomas Farrugia was rather disappointed with his fourth place due to his unlucky draw of lane 8 despite his seasonal and personal best of 50.43s which should have placed him in silver medal position.

A similar unfavourable lane 7 was given to Nicole Gatt despite being the favourite. This time, Nicole, crowned the day with a silver medal position in a time of 58.56s despite being the youngest in her race.

Yesterday the Maltese athletes had to compete in the 200m, 800m, boys’ Discus and girls’ Long Jump.

The contingent is being assisted by Angie Mangion as female coach and Mark Farrugia as male coach and head of athletics delegation.

Gymnastics

Kirsty Caruana was first overall and Adreanna Zammit was second overall.

They have the individual apparatus finals today.

Mia Vickery (13 years old) did really well by qualifying for three finals.