Team Malta enjoyed another eventful day at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Sunday, 26 July, with Maltese athletes competing in artistic gymnastics and lawn bowls.
The day included a historic appearance for gymnast Philippa Busuttil, an impressive comeback by sisters Connie and Rebecca Rixon, and another strong result for lawn bowler Shaun Parnis.
Philippa Busuttil Competes in Historic Final
Philippa Busuttil became the first Maltese gymnast to compete in a Commonwealth Games final when she took part in the Women’s All-Around competition.
Busuttil completed all four apparatus and finished with an overall score of 41.50.
She began her competition on the uneven bars, performing a technically demanding routine featuring several release and transition elements. A controlled dismount helped her earn a score of 9.750.
The balance beam proved more challenging, but Busuttil remained composed and completed her full routine.
She recovered strongly on the floor exercise, successfully delivering all three of her tumbling passes. Her routine included a double tuck and a double twist, earning her a score of 10.450.
Busuttil then completed her competition on vault.
Her appearance carried added significance as the final included experienced international gymnasts such as Canadian Olympian Ellie Black. Reaching this stage represents another important step forward for Maltese artistic gymnastics.
Busuttil’s Commonwealth Games campaign is not over. She is scheduled to compete in the Balance Beam Final on Tuesday, 28 July.
Rixon Sisters Complete Dramatic Comeback
Connie and Rebecca Rixon produced one of Malta’s most memorable performances of the day in the Women’s Pairs lawn bowls competition.
The Maltese sisters faced Tonga, the reigning world champions, and endured a difficult start as their opponents dominated the opening set 10–0.
Malta refused to give up.
The Rixon sisters responded by winning the second set 6–4, taking the match into a tie-break. They then held their nerve during the deciding end to complete an impressive comeback.
The final match score was 0–10, 6–4 and 1–0 in Malta’s favour.
Later in the day, the sisters faced South Africa’s Thabelo Muvhango and Jacqui Janse van Rensburg.
South Africa took the opening set 7–0, but Malta again fought back and remained in contention during the second.
A key moment arrived during the fourth end, when Malta was holding three shots. The South African skip produced an excellent conversion, moving Rebecca Rixon’s bowls into the jack and turning the situation in her team’s favour.
South Africa eventually won the second set 8–5, bringing Malta’s Women’s Pairs campaign to an end.
Shaun Parnis Beats India’s Putul Sonowal
Shaun Parnis continued Malta’s positive day in the Men’s Singles lawn bowls competition.
Parnis produced a commanding opening set against India’s Putul Sonowal, winning it 10–4 and putting himself in control of the match.
Sonowal responded strongly during the second set, which ended in a closely contested 7–7 draw.
Parnis’ convincing first-set victory was enough to secure the overall match win for Malta.
Malta’s Programme for Monday
Maltese athletes are scheduled to return to competition on Monday, 27 July.
Claire Azzopardi and Graham Pellegrini will begin Malta’s athletics programme by competing in Heat 1 and Heat 3 respectively of the opening 100-metre qualifying round.
Weightlifter Kim Camilleri Laganà will then take part in the Women’s 53kg All Groups competition during the afternoon.
Parnis is scheduled to close Malta’s programme for the day when he faces the Falkland Islands’ Cecil Alexander in Round 5 of the Men’s Singles lawn bowls event.
With historic appearances, determined comebacks and important victories, Sunday offered another encouraging chapter for Team Malta in Glasgow.
Credit: Francois Nel/Getty Images
