“King” Charles Degiorgio Crowned Champ

Yesterday's MDFPA National Championships at Noble Gym in Sliema lived up to all expectations by thrilling and entertaining all those present. The 4th edition of the National Championships saw a new king crowned after defending National Champion and former World Champion Mario Mifsud failed to complete a total. “King” Charles Degiorgio snatched the coveted title by executing a solid game plan and exhibiting some awesome raw power.


The 2011 Championships kicked off in the morning show with the 75kg class. Five lifters battled it out for the title, while three lifters opted for the Bench Press-only competition. Edward Attard put some pressure on with a classy 120kg press, only to be matched by Daniel Debono (below) who took the best Bench Press title by virtue of lighter bodyweight. Debono also made two failed attempts at 125.5kgs in his efforts to break the National Record, however it doesn't look like long before he will pocket himself a second National Record to add to his -67.5kg class Deadlift of 202.5kgs. Malta's best female lifter Mariel Incorvaja also opted for a Bench Press-only and bagged a respectable 57.5kg lift.


After battling injuries for over a year and having to contend with a very short preparation period for this event, Sean Galea unfortunately failed to complete a total by bombing out of the Bench Press competition with three failed attempts at 120kgs. In fourth place in the -75kg class with a 412.5kg total and 279.6 points was Antonio Flores. Flores is now 2nd in the 2nd Division National Rankings. Nudging passed in 3rd place was Neil Micallef with a 422.5kg total and 284.3 points. Micallef now leads the 2nd Division in the National Rankings. In second place came the mysterious newcomer Mark Briffa, staging an excellent performance in his first ever appearance on the local platform. He lifted 175, 115, and 200kgs in the Squat, Bench Press, and Deadlift respectively for a final total of 490kgs for 341.6 points. Briffa slots in at a respectable 7th place in the Premier League National Rankings. Winner of the overall -75kg title was Charles Degiorgio himself (below). He squatted 185kgs before narrowly missing his attempt at a new National Record of 192.5kgs. He benched 110kgs and Deadlifted true to form with a dramatic 225kg pull to end his campaign in style.


The evening show saw the big men step forward to contest the heavyweight divisions, starting with the -82.5's. At 63 years of age, Francis Spiteri gave a great show in Squatting 130kgs, Benching 65kgs, and Deadlifting a convincing 170kgs for a total of 365kgs and 233.4 points. Spiteri is now 2nd in the 3rd Division National Rankings. Coming up 3rd in the -82.5kg class was Adrian Cauchi, a lifter who made his debut at last years Nationals. He lifted 160/120/200 for a total of 480kgs and 299.8 points and jumps up the National Rankings into a respectable 7th place in the 1st Division.


The best Bench Press title in this class was fiercely contended between 17 year old prodigy Mark Formosa and Alex Dolgopolyk (above). Before the competition, the National Bench Press record stood at 133kgs and was held by Jovan Reljic. Formosa began the record breaking run with a successful 133.5kg lift. His tenure as National Record holder however was shortlived, as Dolgopolyk stepped up to the bench delivering a powerful 135kg response. Formosa fought back with a valiant struggle against 135.5kgs however it wasn't to be. He Squatted and Deadlifted 170 and 205kgs respectively for a final total of 507.5kgs and 318.7 points and is now ranked 4th in the 1st Division. Alex Dolgopolyk ended his day as the -82.5 National Champion with his final tally of 185/135/220 for a final total of 540kgs and 340.3 points.


The -90kg class also saw some drama with premier lifters Kris Mintoff (above) and Josef Spiteri battling for the limelight. In 4th place in the -90kg class was newcomer James Formosa with a promising performance of 115/105/160 for a total of 380 and 225.9 points. Chris Schinas from Noble Gym took 3rd place honours with his 150/107.5/180 campaign for a final total of 437.5kgs and 267.3 points. Josef Spiteri squatted 165kgs before performing some of his signature benching, opening on 140kgs but sadly missing two attempts at 147.5kgs. He Deadlifted 210kgs for a final total of 515kgs and 303.9 points. Defending 90kg Champion Kris Mintoff again took honours after finishing 4th in the same class at the European Championships in Bournemouth last month. He squatted true to form with a successful 210kg attempt, Benched 125, and opened his Deadlifts with an easy 240kgs. He has had his eye on the -90kg National Deadlift Record of 255kgs for some time now, and had two attempts at 255.5kgs however couldn't quite finish the pull on both occasions. It's only a matter of time before he nails it and conquers his second National Record.


Lifting solo in the 100kg class was Cleaven Cutajar who sadly could not complete a total after missing all three of his 210kg Deadlifts. Cutajar will no doubt come back stronger from this experience. The greatest upset of the competition however was defending Champion Mario Mifsud's (above) performance in the 125kg class. The former World Champion and defending National Champion for three years running squatted 235kgs before missing all three of his opening attempts at the Bench Press with 170kgs. Normally an easy press, the big man was clearly having a bad day. He ended his appearance by offering a token 300kg Deadlift to the delight of the crowd.


A big thanks goes out to WDFPF President Wim Backelant and his wife Karen for coming over to Malta to oversee this event. The MDFPA would also like to thank Marvin Cilia, George Bonanno, Sean Galea and Daniel Debono for spotting and loading, as well as the staff at Noble Gym for their assistance. Noble Gym continues to closely support the MDFPA by hosting most local events at no cost to the Association. The MDFPA also thanks Holland & Barrett and Playmobil for their support.


The final standings were as follows:

1. Charles Degiorgio, 353.9
2. Mark Briffa, 341.6
3. Alex Dolgopolyk, 340.3
4. Kris Mintoff, 338.4
5. Mark Formosa, 318.7
6. Josef Spiteri, 303.9
7. Adrian Cauchi, 299.8
8. Neil Micallef, 284.3
9. Antonio Flores, 279.8
10. Chris Schinas, 267.3
11. Francis Spiteri, 233.4
12. James Formosa, 225.8
13. Daniel Debono, BPO
14. Edward Attard, BPO
15. Mariel Incorvaja, BPO
16. Mario Mifsud, DNF
17. Sean Galea, DNF
18. Cleaven Cutajar, DNF

DNF = Did Not Finish
BPO = Bench Press Only