Nick Mercieca completes high‑intensity camp under Ali Jawad ahead of Junior World Championships

Malta Paralympic Committee (MPC) has completed a week‑long training camp (1–6 September 2025) for Para Powerlifter Nick Mercieca, a key step in his build‑up to the World Para Powerlifting (WPPO) Junior World Championships in Cairo, Egypt on 9 October.

The camp was led by Ali Jawad PLY, an internationally recognised para‑powerlifting figure and four‑time Paralympian for Great Britain (Beijing 2008, London 2012, Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020), and a former European and world record holder. Sessions combined Para Powerlifting fundamentals with strength and conditioning, plus mobility, warm‑up and recovery routines to sharpen competition readiness.

Mercieca will compete in the 18–20 age group, up to 59 kg category. The Junior Worlds are a mandatory milestone for athletes seeking to qualify along the pathway to the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.

A multidisciplinary support team is coordinating Mercieca’s programme: local Para Powerlifting coach Matteo Aquilina, sports nutritionist Dr Mariella Porter, physiotherapists Samantha Bonnici and Jake Fenech, and sports psychologist Dr Bernice Sant, led by Dr Julian Bajada, MPC Secretary General.

The MPC acknowledged the multi‑year support from BMIT for Mercieca’s journey.  “Nick earns his support every day with work and grit. We’re backing him and the MPC so he can concentrate on lifting and improving - and so more Maltese Para athletes get the chance to compete on the world stage,” said Christian Sammut, CEO of BMIT.

The MPC also thanked the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector (MCVS). The camp was funded by the Training Initiatives Scheme (TIS) managed by MCVS, and supported by the Ministry for Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector (MIV).

Published by Malta Paralympic Committee

Date: 30 September 2025 at 08:00 CET