Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1016519
31 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 19 AUGUST 2018 SPORTS ATHLETICS Brian Magri and Lara Buttigieg crowned Garmin Cross Country National Triathlon Champions AGONES SFC recently host- ed the Garmin Cross Coun- try National Championships which were endorsed and held under the auspices of the Malta Triathlon Federation. The Race which consisted of a 750m open water swim, an 18km cycle and a 5km run saw the biggest participation ever in such a triathlon race. Representing 11 countries, the start list saw 30 individual participants, 16 relay teams and 25 athletes taking part in the junior and children's cat- egory. Despite an early morning start, the heat and humidity on the day posed increased chal- lenges to the off road route. Nevertheless the competition was fierce. First out of the water was Jai Patel (10:52) followed by Lara Buttigieg (13:02) and Marlon Zammit (13:47). On the bike lap Mark Bonnici showed his prowess in this discipline having years of mountain bik- ing experience under his belt to register the fastest time in this segment (40:02), he was followed by veteran triathlete Brian Magri, who entered the second transition 48 seconds behind Bonnici. Third placed was Enrico Brandamante (44:51). The decisive part of the triathlon the 5k run saw Noel Quinn clock the fastest time (18:54) followed by Brian Magri (21:27) and Dhiren Pa- tel (25.30). With an overall time of 1:19:01, Brian Magri sealed his first championship title. "I was extremely satisfied with my performance. My swim segment was rather poor as usual, however I made up for it in the bike and run seg- ment, which I felt were excel- lent considering my age" Fifty four year old Brian Magri took up triathlon eleven years ago and earlier on this year took up mountain biking complet- ing all the races on the circuit." I have never raced off road before, so this was a great ex- perience for me. The fact that I raced on the mountain bike circuit this year really helped my race today". Brian Magri, Male Cross Triathlon National Champion. In the female segment, Lara Buttigieg had a comfortable lead all the way to also secure her first championship title. Buttigieg clocked a time of 1:42:34. In second place was Louise Giglio 2:12:51 who was followed by Elisabeth Beemer (2:19:40). "This is really a fun race with a fantastic atmosphere. Al- though I have raced on more technical routes, it was still physically challenging due to the heat and humidity. Very happy to have finished and over the moon to take home the title, something I have worked hardest for this year. Big thanks to my Club Agones SFC, coaches Danica Bonello Spiteri, Roland Eskudt and Body Works" Lara Buttigieg Female Cross Triathlon Na- tional Champion. The Race saw 16 relay teams take part. Teams were made up of an interesting mix of ath- letes where veterans and top athletes in their respective dis- cipline teamed up with lesser experience athletes to create a fun yet competitive environ- ment. Winner of the Relay Category were Andre Camill- eri (Swim), Patrick Scicluna (Bike) and Ivan Gauci (Run). Fast segments splits were reg- istered by Andre Camilleri (Swim Etienne Bonello (Bike) and Brian Formosa (Run). Winners of the Individual and Relay Categories have been awarded a free entry in the 2019 Xterra Malta Off Road Triathlon held in Malta in May. "We are amazed by the consistent growth of cross country racing in Malta. This, coupled with the international element to the sport makes the field more interesting es- pecially when compared to road triathlon. We feel that our international friends pre- fer cross country events when it comes to multisport events " explained Warren Muscat, President, Agones SFC. Prizes were presented to the winners by Sean Farrugia, representing Medcomms Ltd, exclusive agents of Garmin in Malta, who were the main sponsors of the event. Presi- dent Muscat announced that part of the proceeds from the race will be presented to the Inspire Foundation. BOXING Medics call for mandatory suspensions and scans to protect knocked out fighters RINGSIDE doctors in com- bat sports such as boxing and mixed martial arts (MMA) have called for suspensions and ex- aminations for fighters who get knocked out to ensure they have enough time to recover before they fight again. Many state athletic commis- sions in the United States al- ready impose suspensions of 30, 60 or 90 days but Dr. John Neidecker of the Association of Ringside Physicians (ARP) told Reuters that more needs to be done to protect fighters. "We want to increase aware- ness and educate those involved in combat sports about the best practices in concussion man- agement and help bring them into combat sports," he said. "These guidelines (about uni- versal mandatory suspensions) could potentially decrease the incidence of long-term neu- rological problems in combat sports athletes." The ARP also wants fighters who have suffered knockouts to be examined and cleared by specialist doctors before they fight again, as well as changes to how post-fight examinations are done. "They should take place in a quiet environment, like a dress- ing room, not just at ringside. This practice typically does not happen at events where there is a single physician covering," Neidecker said. The ARP consensus report also calls for fighters to follow a gradual progression of activity when returning to their sport after a concussion or knockout. With former American foot- ballers suing the National Foot- ball League over long-term brain damage and concerns about head injuries in sports such as rugby and soccer, the is- sue is a hot topic. "Combat sports are inher- ently different then non-combat sports in both objective and head impact exposure. There- fore guidelines in concussion management should be more conservative in combat sports," Neidecker explained. Professional boxer Steve Col- lins Junior, who is scheduled to fight Steven Ward for the Celtic light heavyweight title at Belfast's Windsor Park on Sat- urday, said he would welcome such a move. "I definitely think there should be a mandatory suspension of at least two months, and then a brain scan," the 28-year-old told Reuters. Collins has a pro record of 12 wins, one draw and one loss by decision, with four of those wins coming by knockout or techni- cal knockout. "If you get knocked out, it should definitely be assessed and not just taken out of the ring - assessed by a doctor, given some time off to recover men- tally and physically, and then maybe another brain scan be- fore you enter the ring again," he added. James Te Huna receives treatment from officials after being knocked out by Steve Bosse