European Aquatics: Martinenghi wins 50m breaststroke gold, Gastaldi and Curtis take medals

Nicolò Martinenghi continued his success at the European Aquatics Championships in Paris, adding the 50m breaststroke gold medal to his collection. He touched the wall in 26.57 seconds, with teammate Simone Cerasuolo taking silver at 26.62.

In the women's 200m individual medley, Anita Gastaldi earned a silver medal, finishing in 2:10.07, just behind Ireland's Hellen Walshe. Sara Curtis also achieved a podium finish, securing bronze in the 50m freestyle with a new Italian record of 23.99 seconds. She finished behind Poland's Katarzyna Maria Wasik and Sweden's Sarah Sjostrom.

Several other Italian swimmers advanced to semi-finals. Lorenzo Ballarati and Giovanni Guatti qualified for the men's 50m freestyle semi-finals, while Giada Alzetta and Paola Borrelli advanced in the women's 200m butterfly. Thomas Ceccon secured a spot in the men's 100m backstroke semi-finals without pushing his limits, and Alberto Razzetti qualified for the men's 200m individual medley semi-finals. Benedetta Pilato posted the fastest time in the women's 50m breaststroke semi-finals, and Anita Bottazzo also advanced. The Italian mixed 4x200m freestyle relay team secured a place in the final.

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I didn't expect it at all, I had nothing to lose, I chased it and deservedly got it. It's the Virgin Mary's day today, happy birthday to all Greeks, I brought it for the homeland and for the firefighters who are fighting their own battle. I did it to enjoy it and now I'm enjoying it a little more.