Athletics: Youngsters notch new records in shorter distances in early season meets
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With the first key milestones of the season fast approaching, two competitive meetings have set the stage for what promises to be another exciting year for Maltese athletics. In particular, younger athletes took the opportunity of these first meetings to shine and register a number of new records in their respective age categories, at times edging out more experienced competitors in doing so.
The 60m men sprint proved to be an exciting affair on both weekends. In the first, Jacob El Aida Chaffey (Zurrieq) took top spot in 6.94s, ahead of Luke Bezzina (Pembroke) in 7.15s, while Rush AC’s Luca Gerada’s third spot in 7.18s, a joint category record in the Under 18 category.
A week later, it was 100m record holder Beppe Grillo of Pembroke who took spot, ahead of Jacob El Aida Chaffey (Zurrieq) with the former winning in 6.84s, 0.14s ahead of his rival. Youngster Jacques Borg, took third spot in 7.31s, equalling the national best at Under 16 level with his performance.
Among the women, Thea Parnis Coleiro (Rush AC) surprised her more experienced rivals from Pembroke, winning the spring in 7.70s, ahead of Alessia Cristina (7.97s) and Rebecca Sare (8.06). For Parnis Coleiro, this performance ensured her name in the record books in both Under 18 and Under 20.
On the 600m distance, Isaac Bonnici continued to register remarkable progress, winning the race in 1:20.08 with the Rush AC athlete claiming the only senior record over the two meetings, while also making his the Under 20 and Under 23 records in the process.
Strong performances were also registered on the 1000m distance, with Michael Debattista Segond (Pembroke) and Mireya Bugeja (Zurrieq) both continuing to build on a solid season winning in 2:31.90 and 2:53.97 respectively, and establishing Under 20 records with their performance.
Another national best, this time in the Under 16 and Under 18 categories was registered by Kayleigh Anne Ellul (Rush AC) achieving a time of 9.60s in the 60m hurdles race.
The first major event of the season, the Winter Championships will now take place this Saturday, 8th February at the Athletics Stadium in Marsa.
