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Cypriot swimmer Kalia Antoniou claimed the nation’s first gold medal at the Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games, successfully defending the women’s 100 metres freestyle title she won four years ago in Oran.
Antoniou trailed slightly at the start but recovered to lead by three hundredths of a second at the halfway point. She then held off Italy’s Chiara Tarantino to finish in 54.60 seconds. Tarantino took silver in 54.67 seconds.
Speaking after the race, Antoniou said: “I had two goals: to set a personal best and to win the gold medal. I achieved one of them and I am very happy and proud of my first gold for Cyprus. Tomorrow I race the 50 metres freestyle and I hope to achieve both my goals there.”
The result gives Antoniou back-to-back Mediterranean Games gold medals in the event. The Cyprus Olympic Committee congratulated her for bringing pride to the country once more, praised her coach, and extended its congratulations to the Cyprus Swimming Federation.
