Malta celebrates record medal haul at Western European Powerlifting Championships

Malta’s powerlifting delegation delivered a historic performance at the Western European Equipped & Classic Powerlifting Championships in Hamm, Luxembourg, securing the nation’s highest medal tally ever recorded at an international event. The six‑athlete team competed across five weight categories and returned home with an impressive seven medals: one gold, four silver and two bronze, alongside three National Records and five Personal Records.

The standout result came from Evita Otigbah, who claimed gold in the -63kg bench press, reinforcing her status as one of Malta’s rising powerlifting talents. In the -47kg category, Maria Farrugia produced a remarkable all‑round performance, earning four silver medals in the squat, bench press, deadlift and overall total. Neil Bezzina added a bronze in the -83kg bench press, while Alessandro Valastro secured another bronze in the -83kg deadlift.

Powerlifting combines three disciplines squat, bench press and deadlift with winners determined by the highest total in their weight class. The Malta Powerlifting Association praised the athletes’ dedication, discipline and sacrifice.

Looking ahead, the Association is preparing to host Iron Island on 26–27 September, the biggest event in its history and Malta’s first-ever international powerlifting competition.

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