Team Malta’s athletes delivered a number of promising performances at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games on Monday, 27 July, with Maltese competitors taking part in athletics, lawn bowls and weightlifting.
The day’s standout result came from young weightlifter Kim Camilleri Laganà, who recorded a personal best during her first appearance at the Commonwealth Games.
Strong Commonwealth debut for Camilleri Laganà
Competing in the women’s 53kg event, Camilleri Laganà finished in eighth place as the youngest athlete in the field.
She began the snatch section with a successful lift of 70kg before raising the bar to 73kg on her third attempt, setting a new personal best.
Camilleri Laganà then successfully lifted 90kg and 93kg in the clean and jerk. Her 93kg effort briefly moved her into the lead during the competition.
She attempted 96kg with her final lift, which could have moved her two places higher in the final standings, but was unable to complete it.
Her performance was particularly encouraging as she entered the Games following an injury which had affected her preparations and limited the time available to rebuild strength in her legs.
Azzopardi and Pellegrini begin athletics campaigns
Malta was also represented in the opening rounds of the women’s and men’s 100 metres.
Claire Azzopardi completed her heat in 11.87 seconds, finishing third in the women’s 100m Round 1 race.
In the men’s competition, Graham Pellegrini registered a time of 10.84 seconds and placed fifth in Heat 3.
Both athletes will return to the track on Wednesday, 29 July. Azzopardi will compete in the women’s 200m opening round, while Pellegrini will line up in the corresponding men’s event.
Shaun Parnis finishes second in singles group
In lawn bowls, Shaun Parnis concluded his men’s singles group campaign against Cecil Alexander of the Falkland Islands.
Alexander made the stronger start and won the match in straight sets, 5–3 and 6–3. Parnis continued to compete for every end but was unable to turn the contest around.
Despite the defeat, the Maltese bowler completed the group stage in second place.
A busy Tuesday for Team Malta
Several Maltese athletes are scheduled to compete on Tuesday, 28 July, across athletics, artistic gymnastics, swimming, weightlifting and lawn bowls.
In athletics, Jared Micallef will race in the men’s 800m heats, while Matthew Galea Soler will compete in the men’s 400m heats.
Artistic gymnast Philippa Busuttil is set to take part in the balance beam final, while swimmer Sasha Gatt will compete in the women’s 800m freestyle heats.
Malta’s weightlifters will also have a busy programme, with Rylee Borg competing in the men’s 88kg category, followed by Roberta Tabone in the women’s 63kg event and Tenishia Thornton in the women’s 69kg competition.
In lawn bowls, Connie Rixon will face Emily Jim of the Cook Islands in the women’s singles. Shaun Parnis will return alongside Troy Lorimer for Malta’s men’s pairs match against Malaysia.
With more Maltese athletes entering competition across the Games, Team Malta will be hoping to build on another day of determined and encouraging performances.
Credit: Mattia Ozbot / Getty Images
