Team Malta enjoyed an encouraging opening day at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, with strong performances in lawn bowls, para powerlifting and swimming following Thursday’s colourful opening ceremony.

The Maltese contingent entered The Hydro led by flag bearer Connie Rixon (Lawn Bowls) and baton bearer Nick Mercieca (Para Powerlifting) during the official opening ceremony, which was attended by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, along with several distinguished guests. The King formally declared the 23rd Commonwealth Games open, with more than 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories competing across 10 sports and six Para sports.

Strong start in lawn bowls

Shaun Parnis got Team Malta off to the perfect start in the men’s singles competition, producing a composed display to beat Kenya in straight sets, 10-2, 9-4. The victory saw him top his section at the end of the morning session.

The women’s pairs team of Connie and Rebecca Rixon endured another heartbreaking tie-break defeat despite producing a spirited comeback against Namibia.

After narrowly losing the opening set 5-4, the Maltese duo dominated the second set 8-0 to force a one-end tie-break. Rebecca Rixon appeared to have delivered the winning bowl, only for Namibia’s Diana Viljoen to produce an outstanding final shot to edge inside Malta’s bowl and claim the tie-break 1-0.

It was the second successive tie-break defeat for the sisters after suffering the same fate against India in their opening match, although their determination to fight back from a set down drew plenty of praise.

Parnis returned to action later in the day against Malaysia’s Izzat Shameer Dzulkeple. After losing the opening set 8-5, he responded strongly to draw the second set 6-6, but the Malaysian progressed by virtue of winning the first set.

Personal best for Mercieca

Nick Mercieca celebrated his Commonwealth Games debut by setting a new personal best in the men’s Para Powerlifting lightweight competition.

Mercieca successfully lifted 112kg and 116kg before completing a superb 120kg lift, surpassing the previous personal best of 114kg he had achieved at the European Championships in May.

His final lift earned him 92.5 points and a sixth-place finish in Group B.

Gatt begins swimming campaign

Swimmer Sasha Gatt opened her Commonwealth Games programme in the 400m freestyle heats.

Gatt finished fourth in her heat with a time of 4:19.72 and will return to the pool on Tuesday when she competes in the 800m freestyle heats.

Busy Saturday ahead

Team Malta returns to action on Saturday with another busy programme.

Connie and Rebecca Rixon will face England in the women’s pairs lawn bowls competition, while Shaun Parnis takes on Canada in the men’s singles.

Malta’s artistic gymnastics team will also begin its campaign at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, with Philippa Busuttil, Lyana Curmi Inguanez and Sophie St John competing in the all-around qualification.