TIRANA, Aug 24  /ATA/ Albania has won its first medal at the Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games, with wrestler Ardit Zeneli claiming bronze in the Greco-Roman wrestling event in the 67kg category.

Zeneli secured the bronze medal after defeating Greece’s Stavros Ntounias 9-8 in a closely contested bout that went down to the wire.

The news was announced by Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja, who described the achievement as an important moment for Team Albania and Albanian wrestling.

“A major success for Team Albania and Albanian wrestling, the result of the competitive spirit and the hard work of the athlete, coach and Wrestling Federation,” Gonxhja wrote.

Zeneli’s medal is Albania’s first at this edition of the Mediterranean Games, marking a successful start for the red-and-black delegation, which continues to compete across various sporting disciplines.

The success in Taranto is the result of the Albanian athlete’s performance, the work of the coaching staff and the support of the Albanian Wrestling Federation.

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