Montenegro has won its first medal at the 20th Mediterranean Games in Taranto. Bocce player Gracija Stjepčević won bronze in the precision shooting event after defeating Slovenia’s Jaka Stremfel in the third-place contest.
Stjepčević lived up to expectations in a strong field, facing the reigning U23 world champion in the bronze medal contest. “This was the only medal I was still missing in my career. I am happy to have won it. Bocce at the Mediterranean Games is always a high-quality competition, and the best players have come to Italy. I am happy. It was difficult to reach the semi-finals,” Stjepčević said.
Sanela Brkan also competed for bronze in the same event but was defeated by France’s Anaele Barazutti, one of the favourites, and finished the competition in fourth place. “It is not easy to compete for a medal, and fourth place is a high placing in such a strong competition. I was a little nervous and under pressure,” Brkan said.
Kuljača misses 100m freestyle final — Swimmer Jovana Kuljača did not manage to qualify for the 100m freestyle final. The Montenegrin athlete completed the distance in 1:01.29. “I hope I will swim better today in the 50m, because I did not finish my first race the way I expected. I am not satisfied, but I hope it will be better,” Kuljača said.
Simonović and Pelonci stopped after three sets — Ivanka Simonović and Gianluca Lamberto Pelonzi were defeated by representatives of Kosovo in the mixed doubles, 2:1 (6:7, 6:4, 6:1). “We finished the first set brilliantly. In the second, we did not take our chances, and in the third we ran out of fuel, so to speak. We wanted the victory; it would have been historic. It meant a lot to us to compete for Montenegro because the feeling is more beautiful and special compared with playing for yourself,” Pelonci said.
Roganović stopped in the quarter-finals — Miloš Roganović completed his appearance in the boxing tournament at the quarter-final stage after his bout against Italy’s Gabriele Rontani was stopped in the first round. “I did what was up to me, but there are some things I cannot influence. Everything was going in my favour, and I thought I had been better right up until the decision was announced,” Roganović said.
Montenegro boxing national team coach Nikola Ružić commented on the outcome of the bout. “Miloš started the bout well. Midway through the first round, the boxers clashed heads, but it was nothing serious. The referee sent Rontani to the doctor, and the bout continued. As the bout went on, the Italian took a number of clean punches, including a right hook that widened his cut, and with 30 seconds remaining, the referee once again sent the home boxer to the doctor, who determined the bout could not continue. I am extremely disappointed with the judges’ decision. It is completely illogical that, following the initial clash of heads, the bout was allowed to continue as normal, but that later, when the second stoppage occurred solely because of an injury caused by clean punches from our boxer, the bout was stopped, and Miloš was not awarded the victory. Instead of declaring our boxer the winner because the stoppage was caused by punches, the judges scored the bout up to that point and awarded the Italian a 4:1 victory. On top of everything, that boxer certainly will not be able to compete in the semi-final given his condition, which only confirms how illogical this decision was. Miloš showed more in the ring and, for us, he is the winner,” coach Nikola Ružić said.
PHOTO and VIDEO gallery – Team MNE @ Taranto 2026 – https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD2GR8
