HiTT Academy reaffirmed its position as a powerhouse in Maltese table tennis by delivering an extraordinary performance at the 2025 Junior National Championships. From the youngest rising stars to the U21 elite, HiTT players collected titles, medals, and unforgettable moments, showcasing the Academy’s high-performance training approach.
Clean Sweeps and Crowning Moments
Among the standout achievements was Conrad Puli’s triple crown in the Under 21 category. Conrad clinched victories in U21 Boys’ Singles, U21 Boys’ Doubles with teammate Luke Bonello, and U21 Mixed Doubles with Rachel Mifsud (Alpha TTK). Dominant in the upper echelons of youth, Puli has wasted no time in ascending to the top of the Maltese scene, claiming the right to call himself national champion in Senior Mens’ Doubles.
Meanwhile, Luke Bonello stamped his authority in the U19 category with titles in Boys’ Singles, Boys’ Doubles alongside Luke Fenech (Topspin), and Mixed Doubles with Alice Mariani (Topspin). In the same category, Oli Farrin-Thorne made a deep run, reaching the semi-finals of the U19 Boys’ Singles, ultimately losing to eventual champion Luke Bonello. Oli also partnered with Sebi to finish as runners-up in both U19 and U21 Boys’ Doubles.
Youth On Fire – Danny, Julia, and the Next Generation
The younger age groups proved equally exciting for HiTT. Danny Scicluna was one of the brightest stars, winning the U13 Boys’ Singles title and the U13 Boys’ Doubles title with Kayden Griscti. He also finished runner-up in the U15 Boys’ Singles.
HiTT Academy achieved a remarkable feat in the U13 Boys’ Singles by having all four semi-finalists come from its ranks: Danny Scicluna, Kayden Griscti, Ben Vella, and Jake Arora. We should also credit Kyle Tufigno and Adam Zammit, who alongside the previously mentioned four, were amongst the six quarter finalists representing HITT Academy in this events.
Ben Vella also went on to win the U11 Boys’ Singles title, defeating fellow HiTT player Owen Tufigno in the semi-finals.
On the girls’ side, Julia Bonnici demonstrated outstanding form, claiming the U15 Girls’ Singles title and finishing as runner-up in the U13 Girls’ Singles. The academy also celebrated strong showings in the U11 Girls’ Singles, with both Mariah Mizzi and Krista Chetcuti reaching the semi-finals.
A Testament to Teamwork and Training
HiTT Academy’s stellar results across all age categories speak volumes of its commitment to elite development and team spirit. The club claimed fifty percent of all gold medals and a plurality of silver medals. The club also fielded the largest number of players from any club, with an estimated thirty-three percent, proving that Hitt Academy is capable of both quality and quantity.
With players frequently medalling in both singles and doubles events, the Academy’s culture of collaboration and high-performance coaching continues to pay dividends. As HiTT continues to foster the next generation of champions, one thing is clear: the future of Maltese table tennis is in very capable hands.