Albanian wrestling recorded one of its best days at the Mediterranean Games in Taranto, adding two more medals to Albania’s tally after Ardit Zeneli’s bronze. Islam Dudaev delivered the gold, while Zelimkhan Abakarov finished the competition with silver.
Islam Dudaev delivered the gold medal
The biggest moment of the day came in the men’s 74-kilogram freestyle category, where Islam Dudaev climbed to the top step of the podium.
He closed out the final against North Macedonia wrestler Fati Vejseli with a 4-0 result, confirming the superiority he had shown throughout his run in this competition.
A historic success for Albania in this edition
With this victory, Albania secured its first gold medal in this competition, a result that turns wrestling into one of the strongest points of the red-and-black team’s showing in Taranto.
The result carries extra weight because of the way it came, as Dudaev dominated until the end and left no openings in the decisive final.
Abakarov stopped in the final, but secures silver
Zelimkhan Abakarov also reached the podium, winning the silver medal in the men’s 65-kilogram category, also in freestyle.
In Monday’s final he faced Turkey’s Ahmet Duman, but was beaten 4-2, leaving him in second place and giving Albania another major medal at this event.
The day’s tally for the Albanian delegation
Monday’s two medals came after the bronze won earlier by Ardit Zeneli, turning this day into a standout moment for Albanian wrestling at the Mediterranean Games in Taranto.
In a competition where every podium finish carries multiple value for Albanian sport, the performances of Dudaev and Abakarov put wrestling at the center of Albania’s tally.
The success in Taranto once again brings wrestling among the disciplines delivering concrete results for Albania on the international stage.
Dudaev’s gold and Abakarov’s silver remain two of the strongest highlights of this edition for the Albanian team.