Malta Make Their Mark on Opening Day in Glasgow

Team Malta opened their Glasgow 2026 campaign with determination and pride, delivering a mix of impressive performances and narrow heartbreak across Lawn Bowls, Para Powerlifting and Swimming.

Shaun Parnis set the tone early in Men’s Singles Lawn Bowls, producing a composed straight‑sets win over Kenya (10–2, 9–4) to top his section. His afternoon match against Malaysia’s Izzat Shameer Dzulkeple was tighter, with Parnis rallying to draw the second set 6–6 after losing the first, though Malaysia claimed victory on sets won.

In the Women’s Pairs, Connie and Rebecca Rixon showed grit against Namibia. After dropping the opening set 4–5, they dominated the second 8–0 to force a tie‑break. Rebecca’s superb final bowl looked enough, but Namibia edged inside to steal it 1–0 a second consecutive tie‑break loss mirroring Thursday’s defeat to India.

Debutant Nick Mercieca impressed in Para Powerlifting, lifting a personal best of 120kg to finish sixth in Group B.

In the pool, Sasha Gatt placed fourth in her 400m freestyle heat with 4:19.72 and now turns her focus to Tuesday’s 800m.

Saturday brings more action, with the Rixon sisters, Parnis and gymnasts Philippa Busuttil, Lyana Curmi Inguanez and Sophie St John competing across Glasgow.

#MaltaDaily