Mediterranean Games: Italy closes in on record as Tamberi completes his medal collection

The Valente Stadium in Taranto gave Gianmarco “Gimbo” Tamberi a loud welcome, and the Italian high jumper responded by claiming the one Mediterranean Games gold missing from his collection.

Tamberi cleared 2.15 meters on his first attempt and then passed 2.25, enough to finish ahead of Greece's Merlos, who stopped at 2.19. With the gold secured, Tamberi asked the crowd for help as he attempted 2.35, a world-best mark for the season, gesturing broadly like an orchestra conductor. He failed all three attempts, but still left with the title. Italy's Cristiano Falocchi joined him on the podium with bronze.

Tamberi's victory was Italy's fourth gold of the day. The country added 23 medals overall, taking its total to 187 and moving within six of the 193 won at Bari in 1997. The earlier record included more golds, however, 76 compared with Italy's current 62. Italy leads Turkey, which has 90 podium finishes.

The other Italian gold medals went to weightlifter Giulia Miserendino in the 69-kilogram category, shot-putter Nicholas James Ponzio with 21.21 meters, and triple jumper Chiara Erika Saraceni with 14.21. Ponzio finished ahead of France's Mallagi and Egypt's Khalifa, while Saraceni beat Serbia's Spanovic and Mitrovic.

Italy also collected seven silver medals. Veronica Brunori, Erminia Perfetto and Silvia Semeraro won silver in karate; the men's and women's 3x3 basketball teams lost their finals to Spain; Niccolò Gandola and Elena Sali took silver in lightweight mixed double sculls; and Alessandra Bonora finished second in the women's 400 meters.

The day's 11 bronzes included rowing, karate, weightlifting, gymnastics and athletics. Among the athletes missing out on a medal, Pietro Arese finished fourth in the 1,500 meters. Flag-bearer Filippo Tortu also placed fourth in his heat but advanced as a repechage qualifier for the next day.