A team of 7 athletes and 3 staff flew to Malta on the 21st of March to compete in the European Small Nations and Malta International Open, which was a two day event across last weekend. This is the first international overseas event for many of the team, marking a significant milestone in their weightlifting journeys.

Saturday, March 22 – A Day of Personal Bests and Debut Successes

On Saturday 22nd of March all bar one athlete took to the stage. Up first we had Llewellyn Waits in the Junior men’s class. In a competitive group, Llewellyn went on to Snatch 87kg and Clean and Jerk 109kg for a total of 196kg. The excitement continued as our coaches were lucky enough to be tasked with all 4 women competing in the same group, which didn’t look easy to start, with the group being jam packed with all starting weights in kilograms from each other. Emily Barons debut for Wales as a Senior athlete seen her go 3/3 on the Snatch achieving 63kg and 86kg in the Clean and Jerk giving her a respectable total of 149kg. Nyarai Hector competes as a Junior in her first overseas competition putting on a spectacular performance by going 6/6 and achieving 3 PBs, 68kg Snatch, 86kg Clean and Jerk for a total of 154kg. Isla Travers competes as a Senior despite being in her first year as a junior athlete. She went on to Snatch an equal PB of 72kg and Clean and Jerk 88kg giving Isla a total of 160kg. Madaline Connelly competes as a Senior athlete returning from injury, being on top form today Madaline went 6/6 and 3 PBs, 80kg Snatch, 98kg Clean and Jerk for a huge 178kg total. Finally we had Daniel Davies who was raring to go in the Men’s Senior class, achieving a PB in his snatch of 111kg and clean and Jerking 138kg giving him a total of 249kg just 1kg short of his personal best. 

Sunday, March 23 – Oliver Godwin Completes the Welsh Line-Up

For the following day on the Sunday, we had our final lifter Oliver Godwin who competed in his first overseas international event also. Oliver puts in a great performance just shy of his PBs in a strong group with a Snatch of 117kg, Clean and Jerk of 140kg giving him a total of 257kg. 

An Unforgettable Podium Finish for Team Wales

We were already incredibly proud of the team; they showed great courage and determination throughout their groups and didn’t let their competition distract them from the task at hand. They supported one another throughout the competition and really brought the best out in each other. 

During the award ceremony on the Sunday evening, we had the most pleasant shock when the final results came in: 

• Llewellyn Waits secures a bronze medal in the overall individual Junior Men’s Sinclair.
• Llewellyn and Nyarai Hector secure a bronze medal in the overall Junior Team Sinclair.
• Team Wales takes 2nd place trophy for overall teams Sinclair.

These results speak for themselves, the athlete’s dedication to their training and executing performances on the international stage, the coaching team and their ability to work together to place the athlete in the best position possible. 

With a strong focus on development and international exposure, Weightlifting Wales has continued to support emerging lifters by providing opportunities on the global stage. Competing in a highly competitive field, our lifters stepped onto the platform with confidence, delivering outstanding performances and achieving personal bests. 

A huge congratulations to all athletes and staff on an incredibly successful trip.