Team Malta Enjoys Landmark Day At Mediterranean Games

Monday proved a landmark day for Team Malta at the XX Mediterranean Games, with Andrea Mifsud producing a historic cycling result, Sam Cassar battling to victory in badminton, and Stefan Farrugia claiming another win in Raffa.

Mifsud delivered the finest result by a Maltese cyclist at games of this calibre, finishing fifth in the Road Race in 3:01:26. After the field split into several groups, Mifsud remained in the chase pack and narrowly won the sprint for fifth place. Tommaso Dati, Tiago Gomes Antunes and Federiioc Iaomoni claimed the medals. Bernard Galea and Aidan Buttigieg also played key supporting roles throughout the race.

In badminton, Cassar fought back from losing the opening set 21-18 to Cyprus’s Nikolaos Kokosis, winning the next two 21-19, 21-13. He now faces Italy’s Giovanni Toti on Tuesday.

Martina Clark’s singles campaign ended in the Round of 32 with defeat to Greece’s Georgia Sotiriou, while Francesca Clark lost 21-11, 21-8 to Italy’s Gianna Stiglich Guzman. The sisters will team up in the women’s doubles against Greece on Thursday.

Farrugia also impressed in Raffa, defeating Algeria’s Houssam Eddine Hamel 1-0 across four ends.

Tuesday’s programme sees Cassar return to action, while trap shooters Gianluca and William Chetcuti begin qualification. Tennis players Alex Degabriele and Liam Delicata will also contest their opening singles matches.

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