**Cyprus Celebrates Historic Gold Medal at Commonwealth Games**
Team Cyprus achieved a significant milestone at the Commonwealth Games, securing its first gold medal of the competition on Sunday afternoon. Yiannis Antoniou triumphed in the Men’s +100kg judo category, defeating Australia’s Kayhan Ozcicek-Takagi in a closely contested final.
Antoniou's victory marks a historic moment for Cyprus, as it is the first gold medal the island has won in this edition of the Games. His performance has been hailed as a testament to the hard work and dedication of the Cypriot judo team.
In addition to Antoniou's gold, the day proved fruitful for Cypriot athletes competing in judo. Georgos Kroussaniotakis claimed a bronze medal in the Men’s under 100kg category after overcoming fellow Cypriot Aristos Michael in the bronze medal match. This achievement adds to the growing success of the judo team at the Games.
The women’s judo events also saw success, with Zanet Michaelidou earning a bronze medal in the under 78kg category. She shared the podium with Canada’s Coralie Godbout, both athletes demonstrating commendable skill and determination throughout the competition.
The accomplishments of Team Cyprus in judo follow a series of successful performances earlier in the Games. Odysseas Georgakis secured a bronze medal in the men’s under 81kg category on Saturday, contributing to the island's medal tally. The previous day, Sofia Asvesta won a silver medal in the women’s under 52kg category, while Giorgi Balartashvili and Petros Christodoulides brought home silver and bronze medals, respectively, in the men’s under 66kg category.
As of now, Cyprus has amassed a total of 12 medals at the Commonwealth Games, showcasing the diverse talents of its athletes across various sports. Earlier in the week, gymnast Marios Georgiou achieved notable success, earning two silver medals in the parallel and horizontal bars. Neofytos Kyriacou also contributed to the medal count with a bronze in the vault, while hurdler Milan Trajkovic and hammer thrower Iosif Kesidis secured bronze and silver medals, respectively, in their events.
The achievements of Team Cyprus at the Commonwealth Games reflect the dedication and perseverance of its athletes, who continue to represent their country with pride on the international stage. As the competition progresses, the Cypriot team aims to build on this momentum and add to their medal tally.