Lift Off 2025:
A Full Day of Lifting, Community and Competition at Training Room
The 2025 edition of TR Lift Off took over Training Room this past weekend, bringing together a brilliant mix of lifters, coaches and supporters for a packed day of team-based weightlifting. The event ran from 9am until around 4:30pm and featured three groups of men and three groups of women rotating through the day, all taking part in one of our most well-attended events to date.
Organised by Olympic lifter and TR owner Yazmin Stevens, this marked the third edition of Lift Off. Now a regular annual event in the Training Room calendar, it continues to evolve and grow in both participation and community energy.
The format was designed to challenge athletes at all levels while keeping the event moving smoothly. Each team of three rotated through an 8-platform lifting ladder. Athletes had 45 seconds to complete their lift at each platform, followed by 15 seconds to transition to the next station. A new athlete would step onto Platform 1 every 60 seconds, creating a rolling and fast-paced flow. After completing all eight stations, each athlete had a final attempt on the main platform — often a highlight of the day — giving them a chance to go heavier in front of the crowd.
Importantly, each ladder was built around submitted one-rep maxes. This allowed the team to tailor barbell weights to suit each group’s level and ensure the challenge was appropriate. Athletes were encouraged to be accurate with their submissions — too conservative, and the ladder wouldn’t push them; too ambitious, and they risked being knocked out early.
There were standout individual performances across the board. Jessica Camilleri led the women with a Sinclair score of 208.73, followed closely by Loretta Delia at 205.09 and Amy Cachia with 201.11. On the men’s side, Vladislav Baldacchino posted an impressive 329.03, with Anton Micallef and Ryan Degiorgio right behind on 318.59 and 298.62 respectively.
Team standings were based on the combined Sinclair totals of each trio. The top spot went to Ta Bla Hsieb, made up of Vladislav Baldacchino (Tripod), Paula Grech (CF356), and Ryan Degiorgio (CF356), finishing with a combined Sinclair of 806.57. In second place was Rebel Yell x TR with 796.36, featuring Anton Micallef and Shaun Ciantar (formerly of TR, now representing Rebel Yell), and Natasha Fenech (TR). Rounding out the podium in third was Team Pit — Orlays Castilla, Daniel Cachia, and Jessica Camilleri — finishing on a total of 757.78.
We’d also like to extend a massive thank you to all the Training Room coaches and members who spent their day judging, loading and helping the event run smoothly. Without their time, energy and support, the day simply wouldn’t have flowed the way it did — and we’re incredibly grateful to have such a reliable crew behind us.
Thanks also to our event sponsors — Hudson Malta, Ina Spa, Frisk, Spacer Mobility and KingsBox — for supporting the podium prizes and being part of the experience.
Lift Off is more than just a comp — it’s a day to come together, push yourself, and represent your crew. We’re grateful to everyone who helped make this year a success: the athletes, the judges, the volunteers, the crowd, and the support team behind the scenes. We’re already looking forward to welcoming you all back for the fourth edition next year.
