Marsa, “capital of world weightlifting” for a week end
Between 21 and 24 March 2025, the Marsa Sports Complex in Malta became the “world capital” of weightlifting. The important participation of more than 150 athletes from 15 teams from Europe, who competed in both competitions, was completed by an impressive presence of officials from EWF and IWF, those of the Balkan Federation and that of several Presidents of National Federations. The Presidents of the International and European Weightlifting Federations, Mr. Mohammed Jalood and Mr. Antonio Conflitti, were accompanied by the General Secretaries Dr. Antonio Urso and Dr. Milan Mihajlovic. The activities were also attended by Mr. Matthew Curtain, IWF EB Member, Dr. Astri Hasani and Mr. Alexandru Padure, EWF EB Members, the President and Vice President of the Balkan Weightlifting Federation, Mr. Elez Gjoza and Mr. Talat Unlu, President of the San Marino Weightlifting Federation, Mr. Danilo Bulzoni, and Asian Weightlifting Federation EB Member and Bahrain Weightlifting Federation President, Mr. Eshaq Ebrahim Eshaq.
The Marsa Sport Complex came alive as the Malta Weightlifting Association hosted the prestigious 46th edition of the European Small Nations and Malta International Weightlifting Open Tournaments
By organizing these competitions, the Maltese Weightlifting Association chose to celebrate not only the inauguration of the new Weightlifting Complex, but also its 50th anniversary by offering distinctions to guests from the great weightlifting family and representatives of the Maltese Olympic Committee and the Maltese Sports Authority, during the opening ceremony. Then, we continued with 2 intense days of high-level competition, which we all enjoyed. The Maltese Association led by Jesmond Caruana, who also holds the position of EWF EB Member, have outdone itself by delivering a real spectacle to the participants and sports lovers. The atmosphere in the newly constructed Marsa Sports Complex was electric, with athletes and spectators alike appreciating the state-of-the-art facilities that enhanced the overall experience of the tournament, all this, already thinking about the future activities that will be organized in this modern house of weightlifting.
A celebration of excellence
The competition featured a series of outstanding performances across various body weight categories. In a competition based on the Sinclair system, athletes delivered remarkable lifts, setting new personal bests and even breaking records in different age and body weight categories, with the host country team shining in almost all events. The final rankings were established for individuals, pairs and teams. For many the experience becomes an unforgettable one.
The 8 competition sessions can be watched again on the EWF TV channel, which also broadcasted live the competition in Malta: https://ewfsport.tv/
RESULTS BOOK can be found here.
A Historic Milestone for Malta Weightlifting
This edition of the tournaments was particularly special, as it coincided with the 50th anniversary of the Weightlifting Association of Malta. Over the past five decades, the federation has worked tirelessly to promote and develop the sport within the country and not only. Hosting an event of this magnitude in a brand-new facility was a fitting tribute to the federation’s achievements and a testament to the progress Malta has made in the world of weightlifting.
Looking to the future
Following the success of the European Small Nations and Malta International Open Weightlifting Tournaments, Malta is now positioning itself as a key destination for international weightlifting events and activities. The newly built weightlifting centre at the Marsa Sports Complex provides a top-tier venue for future competitions, training camps, and development programs aimed at nurturing the next generation of weightlifting champions.
This event has undoubtedly set the stage for even greater achievements in Maltese weightlifting. As the federation continues its journey beyond 50 years, the commitment to excellence, athlete development, and international collaboration remains stronger than ever. The success of this tournament has reinforced Malta’s ability to host world-class competitions, ensuring that the future of weightlifting in the country is brighter than ever.
“I have no words to express my satisfaction for what we have been able to achieve in this half century. Today, we are reaping the results of a job well done. We have talented athletes who are climbing the international podiums and our demands have increased. I am grateful for the fact that we managed to organize an event at this level and for the fact that we received support from the Maltese authorities for this construction, as well as the IWF and EWF for the partial equipment of the complex”, Caruana declared at the end of the events.
EWF congratulates all participants, but especially the Malta Weightlifting Association for its anniversary and for its high capacity to develop our sport nationally and internationally.