Matthew Muscat Inglott at 2007 British Unequipped Championships

After qualifying in Yorkshire back in April, Maltese powerlifter Matthew Muscat Inglott was in Birmingham last Sunday 2nd of September for the 2007 British Unequipped Powerlifting Championships 82.5kgs bodyweight category. The competition was well attended with a total of 8 lifters battling it out for the title. Muscat Inglott was representing Yorkshire and the Northeast. After weighing in at a light 80.1kgs, Muscat Inglott opened up with an easy 170kgs squat. With the first lift under his belt he went on to lift 187.5kgs in good form. After driving out of the "hole" in his final attempt with 190kgs, he stalled half way up and could not complete the movement, therefore settling for 187.5kgs as his best squat. Steve Gates from the East Midlands won the Squat competition with a brilliant 207.5kgs. Muscat Inglott had high hopes in the Bench Press but unfortunately missed his final attempt of 137.5kgs and had to be content with 132.5kgs from his previous attempt. At this point Muscat Inglott was in third place and had the bronze medal in his sights. Maxwell Herd from Greater London won the Bench Press event with an impressive 155kgs.

The fight began during the Deadlifts after sustaining an abdominal injury with a 205kgs opener. After two painful but successful struggles with 225kgs and 227.5kgs respectively, Muscat Inglott went on to lift a final total 547.5kgs. Steve Gates won the Deadlift event with his 257.5kgs lift, and with it, the overall championship title and gold medal with his final total of 590kgs. Maxwell Herd finished 2nd for the silver medal with a total of 565kgs, and Matthew Muscat Inglott 3rd for the bronze with 547.5kgs.

This total shows a good improvement over the 535kgs total obtained in Yorkshire 4 months ago. Muscat Inglott was sponsored by the Preluna Hotel, with invaluable backing and support from Andrea Preca and Tony Camilleri.

Matthew had a well-deserved rest with his brother Daniel after the competition, pictured below outside the Bullring in Birmingham.