**Marios Georgiou Secures Silver in Balance Beam at Mediterranean Games**
Marios Georgiou has earned a silver medal for Cyprus in the balance beam event at the Mediterranean Games held in Taranto on Wednesday. The competition concluded in a tie between Georgiou and Turkey's Altan Dogan, both scoring 14,000 points. However, according to the competition rules, Dogan was awarded the gold medal due to a higher execution score.
Georgiou's performance included a difficulty score of 5,400 and an execution score of 8,600. In comparison, Dogan recorded a difficulty score of 5,300 and an execution score of 8,700. The tie-breaking criteria, which prioritize execution scores, ultimately favored Dogan, resulting in a narrow victory.
This silver medal adds to Cyprus' overall medal tally at the 20th Mediterranean Games, which have showcased various athletic talents from across the region. The Games have been a platform for athletes to demonstrate their skills and compete at a high level.
In addition to Georgiou's achievement, Cyprus also celebrated a bronze medal in karate on the final day of competition. Theodosia Yiamouki claimed third place in the women’s over 68kg kumite category. Yiamouki's journey to the podium included a decisive 4-0 victory over Bosnia’s Stefani Kresic in the bronze medal match. Earlier in the competition, she had secured a narrow 1-0 win against Ana Rita Ferreira de Oliveira but faced disqualification in her subsequent match after stepping outside the mat. Despite this setback, she managed to rebound through the repechage rounds to reach the medal bout.
The athletics events also saw notable performances from Cypriot athletes. Grigoris Nikolaou finished fourth in the triple jump with a best effort of 16.03 metres, while Andranik Sarkis Astjian followed closely behind in sixth place with a jump of 14.95 metres. In the pole vault, Demetris Christofi cleared a height of 5.15 metres, securing a fifth-place finish. Additionally, Marina Hadjikosta placed eighth in the discus throw with a distance of 52.10 metres.
The sailing events featured strong finishes for Cypriot competitors as well. Andriani Georgiou achieved a commendable fourth place in the ILCA 6 category, while Natasa Lappa secured sixth place in the iQFoil, demonstrating her best performance on the final day of competition.
The Mediterranean Games continue to serve as an important event for athletes from various nations, providing a platform for competition and camaraderie. Cyprus' achievements in Taranto reflect the hard work and dedication of its athletes, contributing to the island's growing presence in international sports.