Judoka Katryna Esposito won Malta’s only medal at the XXII Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, taking bronze in the women’s -48kg.
After losing her quarter-final to England’s Amy Platten, Esposito beat Wales’ Ashleigh Anne Barnikel by ippon in the repechage, then kept her discipline against Mauritius’ Priscilla Morand in the bronze medal contest, which went to golden score before a third penalty handed Esposito the win.
The women’s 4 x 100m relay of Claire Azzopardi, Janet Richard, Carla Scicluna and Charlotte Wingfield set a national record of 45.59, and Wingfield reached the semi-finals of the 200m. Weightlifter Roberta Tabone totalled a personal best 191kg on her debut, and 16-year-old flag bearer Tenishia Thornton equalled her best lifts to finish eighth.
Fifteen-year-old Lijana Sultana won a five-game thriller in her first squash match at the Games, and badminton pair Matthew Abela and Sam Cassar beat Uganda to reach the second round. Cyclist Aidan Buttigieg finished 60th in a brutal road race in which many riders did not finish.
Twenty-nine athletes competed in nine sports, with Charlene Attard as Chef de Mission. Wingfield carried the flag at the Closing Ceremony.
