Jared Micallef delivered a standout performance at the Australian Championships, smashing the national 800m record with a time of 1:46.08. Competing at the WA Athletics Stadium in Perth, Micallef’s time earned him a fifth-place finish in a highly competitive field.
Back on the island, Benjamin Salnitro claimed the national 400m hurdles record at Athletics Malta’s fourth Challenge Meeting. Salnitro clocked 54.66 seconds, surpassing the record set just a week earlier by Jordan Pace.
Thomas Grech also made his mark by claiming the 3000m steeplechase title in a time of 10:33.82, setting new national records in both the Under 23 and Under 20 categories.
Recorded this week as well, four Maltese athletes took on Europe’s elite at the European Running Championships in Leuven, Belgium. Luke Micallef clocked 30:34 in the 10K, while Lisa Bezzina completed the distance in 38:06. Simon Spiteri achieved a personal best of 2:23:47 in the marathon, and Dillon Cassar finished the half marathon in a solid 1:07:45.
Maltese athletes also made a strong showing at the International Schools Federation Under 15 Gymnasiade in Zlatibor, Serbia, returning with four bronze medals. Kayleigh Ellul excelled, winning bronze in both the 300m and 100m hurdles, setting a new national best of 15.20 seconds in the U16 and U18 categories. Matteo Gauci claimed bronze in the 800m, while the 4x100m relay team — Carey Spiteri, Kayla Slack, Leah Frendo, and Kristina Azzopardi — also earned a podium finish.
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