Nick Mercieca becomes first athlete to represent Malta in Para Powerlifting

Nick Mercieca became Malta’s first athlete to compete in an international competition in Para Powerlifting.

At just 18 years old, Nick was one of the youngest athletes to compete in the up to 59 kg’s men’s weight category at the World Para Powerlifting World Cup held in Tbilisi Georgia on 10 May. Nick opened with 90kg, increasing to 95kg and 100kg in his second and final third attempt. Nick was awarded 2nd place for best lift, and 1st place for total lift, in the ‘Next Generation’ category for 18 to 20 years’ old athletes in the men’s 59 kg weight category.

The Tbilisi World Cup was the first international competition in Para Powerlifting on the competition calendar that for the new 2025-2028 cycle. During this cycle, athletes will compete to earn their spot and quality for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games. Over 130 athletes competed in Tbilisi, representing 24 countries. This was the first time in history that Malta was represented in a Para Powerlifting international competition, at which athletes with various physical disabilities compete against each other (such as athletes with spina bifida, spinal cord injuries, amputees, or achondroplasia, among others). Athletes compete in the ‘bench press’ discipline depending on their weight categories, across a range of lightweight and heavyweight categories.

Nick Mercieca was born with spina bifida, impacting his back and both legs, and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in environmental health at MCAST. Nick has been active in sport for 10 years, having competed and represented Malta in multiple sports, including karate and rowing. Nick was Malta’s first athlete to achieve a blackbelt in the wheelchair category in karate, and holds world records in indoor rowing.

Nick was accompanied by powerlifting coach Matteo Aquilina, and the Secretary General of Malta Paralympic Committee, Dr Julian Bajada. Commenting on this achievement, Dr Bajada said that “Nick’s journey in Para Powerlifting has officially begun and we are excited for the road ahead. Nick will now be preparing for the Para Powerlifting Junior World Championships in Cairo, Egypt, in October of this year. Despite his young age, Nick has demonstrated a good understanding of the commitment, sacrifices and hard work he will need to put in to reach his goals. We are building a team to support Nick on this journey, which we hope will inspire others to find courage in life and empower them to push their limits.”

This press release is also available in Maltese:

PR (MALTI) - WPPO TBILISI WORLD CUP .pdf

Download PDF • 73KB

Malta Paralympic Committee

Published on 10 May 2025