The Italian port city of Taranto saw France take both gold medals in Street Skateboarding as the Mediterranean Games put on a high-energy showcase at the 1,000-capacity Salinella Urban Centre yesterday.
Now in its 20th edition, this was skateboarding’s first appearance at the Mediterranean Games, and drew competitors from as far apart as Slovenia and Algeria.
Joseph Garbaccio and Lucie Schoonheere both romped home comfortably to take top honours for France, while compatriot Max Berguin’s silver in Men’s meant a gala day for the French, who took home half of the available medal tally between them.
There was also domestic success for the Italian entrants, with Gaia Urbinati particularly impressive for silver in Women’s ahead of Irene Panzavolta for bronze, with which both can be justifiably proud.
Bronze in Men’s deservedly went to Spain’s José Luis Cabarcos under the watchful eye of coach Alain Goikoetxea- but a special mention should also be made of Algeria’s own Adam Bensalah, who impressed right the way through both days of skating, and marked himself down as one to watch for the future in so doing.
Although not a World Skateboarding Tour event, the Street Skateboarding element of the Mediterranean Games was World Skate-sanctioned, and therefore ran along our established format guidelines and judging criteria.
The experience and opportunity to shine will hold all the medallists in good stead as the World Skate Games appear over the horizon in exactly a month, while the skatepark becomes a permanent, international competition-standard addition to Italy’s national skateboarding infrastructure from now.
Skateboarding wins all round, once again.
Many thanks to all the Mediterranean Games staff and officials for hosting this superb debut showcase for international skateboard culture as part of their enormous event!
Mediterranean Games 2026 Men’s Street Podium
1) Joseph Garbaccio (FRA)
2) Max Berguin (FRA)
3) José Luis Cabarcos (ESP)
Mediterranean Games 2026 Women’s Street Podium
1) Lucie Schoonheere (FRA)
2) Gaia Urbinati (ITA)
3) Irene Panzavolta (ITA)
All photography: Ayman Youssef