A total of 222 young athletes gathered at the Marsa Athletics Track for the National Youth Athletics Championships, transforming the venue into a vibrant celebration of youth sport, determination and emerging athletic talent, in track and field. The championships featured strong performances across multiple disciplines, with several athletes delivering standout displays.
Rush AC’s Sophia Curmi achieved a national best in the Under category in the hammer throw with an impressive distance of 55.44m. Clubmate Thomas Neil Attard narrowly missed out on a similar accomplishment in the 100m hurdles after clocking 14.70 seconds, with the attempt ruled ineligible due to a marginally excessive wind reading of 2.1m/s. Curmi completed a treble in the Championships, winning also the shotput and the discus throw.
Two championship records were also established during the event. Pembroke’s Ella Borg Degiorgio set a new Under 16 benchmark in the pole vault with a jump of 2.90m, while Asia Psaila broke the Under 14 discus championship record with a throw of 25.74m.
Matteo Gauci (La Salle) took home an impressive collection of medals, claiming victories in the 200m, 400m, 800m and 1500m races, while also finishing third in the 100m sprint.
The sprint events once again attracted strong participation and highly competitive fields. In the Under 16 category, Rush AC’s Nicole Balzan won the girls’ 100m in 12.71s, doubling up in the 200m with a 26.47s time. Pembroke’s Jamie Borg took the boys’ title in 11.76 seconds. Borg also secured victory in the long jump with a leap of 5.77m, while teammate Miah Ani won the girls’ event with a jump of 5.04m.
In the Under 14 100m finals, Pembroke’s Kaine Micallef claimed victory in 12.86 seconds, while Martina Mintoff of Rush AC won the girls’ race in 12.93 seconds.
On the longer distances, Pembroke’s Jack Herrera Role dominated the field in the 1000m. The Under 14 athlete added to his medal tally winning the high jump and finishing runner-up in the 75m hurdles and the long jump.
In the relay races, a dominant performance by the Rush AC youths winning all races boys and girls in both Under 16 and Under 14 categories, ahead of Pembroke Athleta.
Photo James Azzopardi
