Huklek Secures First Croatian Gold at Mediterranean Games

Ivan Huklek, a bronze medalist from the Tokyo Olympics, secured Croatia's first gold medal at the 20th Mediterranean Games in Taranto. Huklek triumphed in the 87 kg freestyle wrestling category, defeating Mohamed Elkasema Elsayedda Ahmed Saied of Egypt with a score of 5-1 in the final.

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I am glad that the first Croatian gold medal at these Games was won by someone from wrestling. The final fight was quite fierce. There was a lot of wrestling, dirtiness from his fight and I had to follow it. I worked well and it was a clear victory for me. There were many attempts to provoke me, but I came with experience to this level and did not allow myself to be provoked in such a fight.

"I am glad that the first Croatian gold medal at these Games was won by someone from wrestling," Huklek stated after his victory. He described the final match as intense and physically demanding, noting his opponent's attempts to provoke him. "I came with experience to this level and did not allow myself to be provoked in such a fight," he added, emphasizing his controlled performance.

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With this Turk, I always have close fights, so this one was too, which I lost. I couldn't force him to be passive first and go to parterre, which was ultimately key. I was close to some points but couldn't make it.

Croatia's medal haul on the second day of competition also included silver medals for wrestler Antonio Kamenjašević (77 kg), taekwondo athlete Ivan Šapina (over 80 kg), swimmer Ana Blažević (200m breaststroke), and canoeist Vanesa Tot (200m sprint). Bronze medals were awarded to swimmers Filip Mujan (200m breaststroke) and Nikola Miljenić (50m backstroke), as well as taekwondo athlete Leon Hrgota (80 kg).

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A medal is a medal and of course I am satisfied. Given the competition and the fact that I led the whole race and lost gold, so to speak, in the last stroke, I must admit that my coach and I were hoping for gold. But just as I lost gold here, it will return to me somewhere.

Kamenjašević narrowly lost his final to a Turkish opponent, describing their matches as consistently close. Šapina, a former European champion, reached the final by defeating competitors from Kosovo, Serbia, and Turkey. In canoeing, Vanesa Tot led for most of the 200m sprint before being overtaken in the final strokes, settling for silver. Her coach, Igor Krajina, expressed satisfaction with the result, calling it a top achievement and good preparation for the upcoming World Championships.

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We expected a fight for first place, she has the quality. But silver is a top result. A good race for what follows next week, for the World Championship in Poznan, Poland, and that will be the most important race of the season.