Bertu's gym were magnificent hosts last Sunday to the MDFPA August test and qualification tournament for the World Single-Event Championships in Bradford, UK, this coming September. Some mind-blowing lifting from all concerned proved how the standard of Maltese powerlifting is rocketing skywards. It can now be said, that earning a spot in the top ten national rankings is truly a great honour. The top local powerlifters have been working hard in the gym, as our local contests now consistently feature world-class performances.
Mariel Incorvaja continued to establish herself as Malta's premier female lifter by clearing 85/55/130 with ease in the 80kg category. Sean Galea (above) and Chris Schinas sadly didn't have the best of days, both failing to achieve a Total. Nursing a groin injury Schinas opted out of squats. He went on to Bench 90kgs and Deadlift 170kgs for a qualifying standard at the World Singles. Galea registered an opening Squat of 162.5kgs, but raised his white flag in surrender thereafter.
The ripped-to-shreds Andrew Farrugia (above) made a presence at the event with some specialist Benching, taking time out from his track training as a 100m sprinter. Weighing in at a trim 63kgs he went on to break Sean Galea's National Record in the 67.5kg category with a 112.5kg press. He turned up believing he could break the record, and that's exactly what he did. With some modifications to his technique, who knows what this lightweight Bencher can conjure in the future.
Antoine Pace stepped onto the platform for the first time ever. Lifting out of the Zurrieq Powerlifting Club, he raised 105/85/120 in the 75kg class for 211 points, which means he hasn't quite made it onto the top twenty rankings, but no doubt he is bitten by the iron bug and will be upping his game on his next appearance. Another impressive newcomer, Josef Spiteri (above) has been vigilantly preparing for his first ever appearance under the watchful eye of Charles Degiorgio down at Fitness Planet. Degiorgio now has a reputation for preparing and entering fine quality lifters onto the local scene, showing his coaching skills are second to none. Spiteri set a National Record on his first ever appearance, out-benching Matthew Muscat Inglott in the 100kg class with a smooth 152.5kg lift. He is now ranked number 11, just about missing out on a coveted top ten spot.
Newcomer Kristian Mintoff (above) lifting on home ground out of Bertu's gym itself turned a few heads with a fantastic debut on the local Powerlifting platform. He was lifting in the 82.5kg class and easily handled a 170/115/215 which means he swoops into the Rankings already earning a top ten spot. He is now ranked eight, and all eyes are on this powerful new lifter to make some noise in the 82.5kg class. A trimmed down and well-conditioned Aleksander Dolgopolyk (below) registered a fine performance in the 75kg category clinching fifth place overall. He lifted 180/122.5/195 for a final total of 497.5; very respectable for a first performance in this class. He is now ranked 6th Nationally.
Emanuel Schembri (below) dazzled all with a National Record 235kg Squat in the 125kg class, determined to keep his name on the list with the hulking Mario Mifsud having such a strong presence in that category. He proceeded to Bench 155kgs and Deadlift 250kgs for a final Total of 640kgs. His final points tally means he jumps up the rankings into fourth place, finally overtaking Sean Galea.
In third place the highly polished Charles Degiorgio (below) registered the performance of a lifetime. He annihilated Matthew Muscat Inglott's Squat record in the 75kg class with an incredible 190kg lift. Looking much more comfortable in this weight class after moving up from the 67's he went on to break his own National Record in the Bench with a 125kg press. He Deadlifted 205kgs leaving him with a little work before he catches up with Muscat Inglott's 235kg heave in Belgium last year which remains the 75kg National Deadlift Record. He did manage to equal the Total record in the 75kg class of 520kgs, which means he should have his name elsewhere on the Record list in the near future.
Matthew Muscat Inglott (below) lifted his way to second overall on points. He weighed in a tad over 90kgs in order to challenge for the 100kg class records previously belonging to Marvin Cilia. He began his record breaking run with a convincing 212.5kg Squat. He had to be content with his second attempt bench press of 142.5kgs, while going on to Deadlift a token 250kgs to secure a second National record, and also a third and final record of the day with a 605kgs total. He now holds an overall tally of 13 National Records in four separate weight classes, all set within a year of each other. In order to mount a credible assault at a World title in November in the 90kg class, Malta's number two needs a little work on his bench and Deadlift, while his Squat appears to be moving forwards in the right direction.
Malta's strongest man Mario Mifsud (below) stole the show in usual bar-bending style. Lifting in the 125kg class he equaled the National Squat record with his successful attempt at 235kgs and smashed his own Bench Press record with an awe-inspiring 190kg press. The best was yet to come however as he went on to Deadlift an earth-shattering top quality pull of 310kgs, just 10kgs shy of the open World Record which currently rests in British hands. Mario is still first in line as most likely to set an open World record for Malta. His final Total of 735kgs was also a new National Record, and lifting at such heights he is in with a real chance of walking away with a World title at the full powerlifting World's in Milton Keynes this coming November, showing he is still Malta's premier Powerlifter, and possibly one of the greatest athletes ever to represent Malta in the international sporting arena.
Nikolai Borg, Adelia Saliba and Adrian Debattista also did a fine job refereeing with some good calls. A huge thanks goes out to Bertu's Gym and all the staff there who helped to make the lifter's day a pleasant one.
