Micallef eliminated from men’s 85kg weightlifting competition

Kyle Micallef, the Maltese weightlifter who gave Malta a presence at the Olympics’ 85kg weightlifting competition for the first time ever, has been eliminated after failing to achieve a good enough score to proceed to the next round.

In order to qualify, athletes had to successfully complete at least one lift during the snatch and another in the clean and jerk.

Micallef, who was in Group B, attempted a total of 118 kg during the snatch phase.

However, after three attempts, Micallef struggled to complete a successful lift, resulting in elimination.

The 29-year-old Brampton-born weightlifter qualified for the Rio Olympics after winning his battle against testicular cancer.

Despite failing one attempt in the snatch phase and another in the clean and jerk, French athlete Giovanni Battista Bardis got the highest score. He achieved a result of 165 in the snatch and 192 in the clean and jerk, ending up with a total of 357.

He was followed by Theodoros Iakovidis who got a total of 350, while Canadian weightlifter, Pascal Plamondon, finished third with a total of 345.

The competition will continue at midnight (local time) as athletes from group A will challenge each other for medals.