How such a small country managed to produce such high-level results in a short amount of time might seem baffling to some. However, when you combine an extremely hard-working association, with an equally ambitious athlete, it’s not hard to see how they did it. Thus far, Malta’s Yazmin Zammit Stevens has participated in all major IWF championships, won a bronze medal at the 2021 IWF Commonwealth Championships, and also became Malta’s first-ever female weightlifting Olympian.
MWA president, Jesmond Caruana, first discovered Yazmin at a local competition in 2016. Despite her poor result, Caruana recognized the then 22-year-olds potential and encouraged her to focus on weightlifting. Since then, doubling as MWA president and national team coach, Jesmond worked closely with Yazmin and went on to participate in several major championships. Fuelled by ambition and passion, both coach and athlete aimed toward the Tokyo Olympic Games, a dream that came true and made Yazmin the first female Maltese weightlifting Olympian in history.
Raising the bar for Maltese weightlifting
Yazmin is well known worldwide for several of her successes, however, it’s her humbling beginning that has proved to be an inspiration to many. Starting a new sport at 22, Zammit Stevens was determined to make a name for herself and her country. Freshly graduated with a degree in Maths and Statistics, she put her career on hold and put all her efforts into training. Following an opportunity to train at the Olympic center in Rome, she acquired important insight into what the top-level athletes were doing and then mimicked this regime as closely as possible when she returned to Malta.
Fast forward a few years, and Yazmin’s influence can be seen throughout weightlifting gyms in Malta. Female participation has not only increased drastically but female athletes outnumber the male in Maltese weightlifting. Furthermore, under the close guidance of Caruana, several young girls have been showing incredible results on the international scene; including World Youth Medallist Tenishia Thronton and Kim Camilleri Lagana.
Becoming an Ambassador
Since 2016, Yazmin’s Instagram page gained thousands of followers who could live her weightlifting journey through her Instagram stories and posts, getting an exclusive behind the scene experience of what it’s like to be a competitive weightlifter. Followers particularly enjoyed this journey as it was seen as relatable and approachable. In a sport where most athletes’ results and training regimes/facilities seemed unreachable for many, Yazmin was seen as the “people’s weightlifter”.
Her followers have seen her grow from local competitions to becoming the first-ever female Olympian for her country. A feat that was proved not only a proud moment for herself and her country, but also for everyone who was there for the journey. Yazmin is also known for sharing her struggle with mental health and how she manages it while being an athlete through her social media, in hopes of bringing more awareness to MH.
Therefore, it is not hard to understand why, in 2022, the IWF appointed Yazmin as one of the female ambassadors of the sport.
The future for Zammit Stevens
Now 28, the Maltese athlete continues to aim high in both the athletic world of weightlifting; as well as the technical one. In addition to qualifying to participate at the 2022 EWF European Championships, the highly awaited Commonwealth Games, and continuing her duties as the newly appointed IWF ambassador, Yazmin will also be hoping to be elected as part of the IWF Athlete Commission board during the upcoming elections taking place later this year.
