Cyprus athletes continue their campaign at the 20th Mediterranean Games “Taranto 26” on Monday, with competitors taking part in swimming, cycling, fencing, badminton and padel. The Cyprus Olympic Committee’s official programme confirms the day’s events and highlights Kalia Antoniou’s title defence in the women’s 100m freestyle.
Antoniou enters the 100m freestyle with the fastest time among the 21 competitors and will aim to retain the title she won at Oran 2022.
Nikolas Antoniou and Andrew Lagoutis will also compete in the men’s 100m freestyle, while Panayiotis Panaretos will seek a place in the final of the men’s 50m breaststroke.
The swimming finals are scheduled for the evening, including the women’s and men’s 100m freestyle and men’s 50m breaststroke.
Cycling trio in women’s road race
In road cycling, Andri Christoforou, Ekaterina Kovaltziuk and Styliana Kamilari will compete in the women’s 77.7km race at 10:00 Cyprus time.
A total of 32 cyclists from 12 countries are taking part. The Cypriot riders will aim to stay with the leading group and challenge for victory in the final sprint.
The men’s 133.3km race starts at 14:00, with Andreas Miltiadis, Bogdan Zabelinski and Christodoulos Achchas representing Cyprus.
Fencing and padel
In fencing, Alexandros Tofalidis will compete in the men’s foil. He enters the competition with ambitions of challenging the leading competitors.
In padel, Maria Siopacha and Lena Savva face a difficult last-16 match against Italy’s C. Cassali and G. Dal Pozzo at 18:00.
Badminton players in action
Four Cypriot badminton players will compete in the singles events.
Nikolaos Kokosis faces North Macedonia’s Vedan Stefanovski in the last 32, while Eleni Charalambous takes on Slovenia’s Anja Blazina in the last 16.
Aris Kattirtzis faces Italy’s Fabio Caponio, while Charalambia Michael takes on Italy’s Yasmine Hamza.
The 2026 Mediterranean Games are being held in Taranto and across the wider Apulia region.
Monday’s Cyprus schedule
Padel
18:00 – Women’s doubles, last 16: Maria Siopacha/Lena Savva vs C. Cassali/G. Dal Pozzo (ITA)
Swimming
11:00 – Women’s 100m freestyle: Kalia Antoniou
11:10 – Men’s 100m freestyle: Nikolas Antoniou and Andrew Lagoutis
11:49 – Men’s 50m breaststroke: Panayiotis Panaretos
19:15 – Men’s 50m breaststroke final: Panayiotis Panaretos
19:50 – Women’s 100m freestyle final: Kalia Antoniou
19:54 – Men’s 100m freestyle final: Nikolas Antoniou and Andrew Lagoutis
Road cycling
10:00 – Women’s 77.7km final: Andri Christoforou, Ekaterina Kovaltziuk, Styliana Kamilari
14:00 – Men’s 133.3km final: Bogdan Zabelinski, Andreas Miltiadis, Christodoulos Achchas
Fencing
10:45 – Men’s foil group stage: Alexandros Tofalidis
13:10 – Men’s foil last 16: Alexandros Tofalidis
Badminton
10:00 – Men’s singles, last 32: Nikolaos Kokosis vs Vedan Stefanovski (MKD)
12:40 – Women’s singles, last 16: Eleni Charalambous vs Anja Blazina (SLO)
12:40 – Men’s singles, last 16: Aris Kattirtzis vs Fabio Caponio (ITA)
12:40 – Women’s singles, last 16: Charalambia Michael vs Yasmine Hamza (ITA)
Also read: “I may not have Cypriot blood, but I’m proud Cypriot”
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