IFBB-MALTA

Felician Busuttil is the new PR of IFBB-MALTA.

Kevin Grech is no longer the PR of IFBB-MALTA.

The new PR will be named in the near future.

In recent weeks a lot of issues have been raised with the IFBB-MALTA and the doping issue.

I would like to point out that the doping issue with the IFBB-MALTA will not change.

Last week in Spain at the European Championships I had a long meeting with IFBB President Dr. Rafael Santonja talking about this issue.

He has given me his 100% backing on this issue and made it clear that the IFBB-MALTA remains affiliated with the (Malta Olympic Committee) MOC and The Kunsill Malti ghall-iSport (KMS).

Until I remain President I will not re-instate any previous member who is against this issue. Any talk of removing drug testing from IFBB-MALTA is against the principles of the IFBB.

Whoever replaces me in the future will have to face Dr. Rafael Santonja on this issue and he has already made it a point that he will not change his mind on this issue.

If the IFBB-MALTA loses MOC recognition, Malta will not have a National federation and to compete in any IFBB international event your country must be affiliated with the MOC.

With recognition and to enable our competitors to compete abroad we have to follow the WADA rules and that means staying affiliated with the MOC and KMS.

I will remind all members that the KMS has been officially recognised by WADA as the National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO). Malta has legislated its Anti-Doping Regulations through Legal Notice 281 of 2011.

With the IFBB-MALTA being affiliated with the MOC and KMS it falls under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code and is the only bodybuilding organisation in Malta that is subject to these rules.

All of IFBB-MALTA competitors are subject to testing locally and abroad when representing Malta on the international level.

All IFBB members should already know the prestige the IFBB has and always will have. It is my duty as President to continue promoting the sport of bodybuilding and as well remain in line with all the IFBB rules.

Mario Pace

IFBB-MALTA President

IFBB-MALTA had four athletes represent Malta at the IFBB European Championships that took place in Santa Susanna, Spain between 3-7 May, 2012.

The categories at the event were Juniors championships, Masters championships and Men’s European championships.

The team that represent Malta at the European Championships are Roderick Theuma, Raymond Cassar, John Spiteri and Gilbert Zammit. IFBB-MALTA president Mario Pace was also at the event as a judge.

The Maltese athletes had to face fierce competition from countries that produce some of the best bodybuilders in the world. The top five teams at the event were 1) Russia, 2) Turkey, 3) Ukraine, 4) Slovakia and finally 5) Poland. In all 27 countries took part in this event.

In the European championships category, Roderick Theuma took part in the 75-80kg category while Gilbert Zammit faced fierce competition in the 90-100kg category. The two athletes were very well prepared for the event, but with such a high level of competition, unfortunately they did not place.

In the Classic category, John Spiteri placed fifth.

Raymond Cassar represented Malta in the Men’s 50-59 years Classic Bodybuilders Open category and placed third taking home the prestigious bronze medal. Raymond Cassar is not only a dedicated bodybuilder, but he is also one of the world’s top and well respected photographers in the sport of bodybuilding covering events such as the Arnold Classic and the Mr. Olympia every year. Cassar’s  photos grace the covers of all the top bodybuilding magazines all over the world.

With such a high level of bodybuilding at these championships, placing in any event of the IFBB is one of the most prestigious honors any bodybuilder can have.

In recent years, with the hard work and determination of IFBB-MALTA president Mario Pace, the committee and athletes, Malta has managed to make a mark on the European bodybuilding scene placing high and also breaking the top three.

This competition and all of the IFBB sanctioned competitions are all drug tested and fall under the WADA (World Anti Doping Association) code.