Taranto 2026: Moroccan Athletics Concludes Its Campaign with 16 Medals

Morocco’s national athletics team concluded its participation at the 20th Mediterranean Games Taranto 2026 with a total of 16 medals: seven gold, four silver and five bronze, following competitions held from 30 August to 3 September.

The Moroccan campaign was notably highlighted by two double Mediterranean champions: Fatima Ezzahra BIRDAHA, who claimed gold in the 5,000 m and half marathon, and Yassine HSSINE, winner of both the 100 m and 200 m.

Morocco’s medal haul got off to a strong start on the opening day with two gold medals. In the 5,000 m, Fatima Ezzahra BIRDAHA claimed the title in 15:07.40, setting a new personal best. She finished more than 14 seconds ahead of Italy’s Micol MAJORI, who took silver in 15:21.86, while Türkiye’s Şilan AYYILDIZ secured bronze in 15:23.08.

Just minutes later, Yassine HSSINE won the 100 m final in 10.31, despite running into a -2.8 m/s headwind. He had already won his heat in 10.38 before going on to finish ahead of Italy’s Eric MAREK, second in 10.41, and Slovenia’s Anej ČURIN PRAPOTNIK, third in 10.43.

HSSINE continued his strong performance in the 200 m, securing his second gold medal with a time of 19.94. He finished ahead of Italy’s Filippo DEZZA, who took silver in 20.22, and France’s Theo SCHAUB, who claimed bronze in 20.52.

Morocco also struck gold in the women’s sprint events, with Salma LEHLALI winning the 400 m in 51.26 after a closely contested final. She edged Italy’s Alessandra BONORA, second in 51.41, by just 0.15 seconds, while Alice MANGIONE completed the podium in 51.49.

In the 400 m hurdles, Ismail MANYANI added another Mediterranean title for Morocco, winning the final in 48.87. Türkiye’s Ismail NEZIR finished second in 49.01, followed by compatriot Berke AKÇAM in third with 49.55.

The men’s 3,000 m steeplechase produced one of Morocco’s standout results of the Games, with two athletes occupying the top two places on the podium. Salah Eddine BEN YAZIDE claimed gold in 8:46.14, just ahead of Mohamed TINDOUFT, who secured silver in 8:46.58. Only 0.44 seconds separated the two Moroccans at the finish.

Morocco also enjoyed success in the middle-distance events, with Souad EL HADDAD reaching the podium twice. She first secured bronze in the 800 m in 2:00.15, behind Croatia’s Nina VUKOVIĆ, who won gold in 1:59.63, and Spain’s Lorea IBARZABAL, second in 2:00.07.

A few days later, Souad EL HADDAD added a silver medal in the 1,500 m, completing the final in 4:08.51, just one tenth of a second behind Portugal’s Patricja CABRAL DA SILVA, who took gold in 4:08.41.

In the men’s 1,500 m, Anass ESSAYI also reached the podium, securing bronze in 3:43.20 after another extremely close finish. Just 0.17 seconds separated him from France’s Flavien SZOT, who won the title in 3:43.03.

Morocco added another medal in the men’s 5,000 m through Fouad MESSAOUDI, who finished third in 14:41.75. Portugal’s José Carlos MARQUES PINTO won the race in 14:41.11, ahead of Tunisia’s Mohamed Amin JHINAQUI, second in 14:41.55. Only 0.64 seconds separated the three athletes on the podium.

In the women’s 10,000 m, Kawtar FARKOUSSI secured the bronze medal in 35:13.57.

The men’s 10,000 m also saw two Moroccan athletes reach the podium. Mustapha AKKAOUI claimed silver in 28:38.50, while Hicham OULADHA secured bronze in 28:56.64.

The track events concluded with another medal for Morocco in the men’s 4 × 400 m relay. The Moroccan quartet claimed silver in 3:02.31, finishing just 0.29 seconds behind Türkiye, who won gold in 3:02.02.

Finally, Fatima Ezzahra BIRDAHA brought Morocco’s athletics campaign to a close with another title on Thursday, 3 September. Having already won the 5,000 m on the opening day, BIRDAHA went on to claim gold in the women’s half marathon in 1:09:59, earning her second gold medal of the Games.

Overall, Moroccan athletics leaves Taranto 2026 with 16 medals: seven gold, four silver and five bronze, earned across a wide range of events, from the sprints to the half marathon, as well as middle-distance and long-distance races, hurdles, steeplechase and relay events.