Malta cannot truthfully boast of athletes who reached the highest rungs of international fame. Swimming, which timidly started acquiring some popularity as a leisure and sporting activity only in the late Victorian era, had no one remarkable to showcase.

The barrier was shattered, and with a sonic bang, by Turu Rizzo (1894-1961). His swimming endurance exploits credibly reached world record standards.

A postcard map of the 1938 marathon endurance run by Turu Rizzo.

Today, a full-figure bronze monument and a road name honour his memory. I believe he is the only Maltese athlete to feature repeatedly in pre-war postcards, printed and photographic.

A postcard with Turu Rizzo’s autograph
Turu Rizzo being helped out of the sea at the end of an endurance feat. Note the Sliema Ferries police station. A Result Studio postcard

Rizzo’s prowess on land and sea remain truly remarkable. He first attracted attention when he beat British Services swimming champions deemed unbeatable by the locals. In 1926, he crossed from Ras il-Qala, Gozo, to Għar id-Dud, Sliema, in 10 hours, 31 minutes. 

Three years later, he established a world record, water treading for just over 62 hours. He improved this in 1930 by swimming for 68 hours, breaking two world records – endurance and distance.

Records by Turu Rizzo printed on the back of one of his postcards.

His grandson, Albert, 54 years later, pulverised this limit. He lasted in the sea for 132 hours (times and distances vary depending on the sources). Rizzo attempted to swim from Sicily to Malta in 1933 but unexpected stormy weather frustrated his efforts only a few miles from his destination. 

Portrait of Turu Rizzo burthened with medals.

A 1930s portrait of Turu Rizzo, with trophies and medals.

He made up for this when he was 44 years old by running a 28-hour marathon over 130 kilometres across Malta. Displaying on his chest the myriad medals won during his career makes the hero look impressive, if rather bizarre.

Nine children survived him. 

The Olympic medal awarded to Turu Rizzo for taking part in the 1928 Amsterdam games.

His athletic feats turned into crowd pullers. Postcard publishers instinctively realised their commercial potential. Richard Ellis and the Grand Studio in Sliema and the Result Studio in Sliema joined the thriving market.

A 1930s postcard by the Grand Studio of a Turu Rizzo aquatic event on the Sliema Ferries.

Most images are from the author’s collections.

A 1930s postcard printed by Richard Ellis showing Turu Rizzo.

Another Turu Rizzo photo-postcard by the Grand Studio

A 1930s postcard of Turu Rizzo during a water treading event at the Sliema Ferries.