History in Taranto: Spain Sweeps the First Padel Golds

The first multi-sport padel medals in history now have owners. Spain took the biggest share.

José Antonio Diestro and David Gala beat Italy's Flavio Abbate and Álvaro Montiel 7-6 6-4 on a sold-out Central Court. They're the first men's champions in Mediterranean Games history. The pair had already edged Portugal's Deus brothers 7-5 7-5 in the semis — they earned it.

The women's final was all-Spanish. Lucía Sainz and Patty Llaguno, both former world No. 1s, beat Jimena Velasco and Nuria Rodríguez 6-3 6-4 for gold. Two Spanish pairs, two medals, one country on top.

The mixed event produced the story of the week. Portugal's Pedro and Sofía Araújo — brother and sister — beat Marco Cassetta and Giulia Dal Pozzo 6-2 3-6 6-3 for the first mixed title. "Gold runs in the family," as FIP put it.

Italy left with the most podiums of any nation — four — without a single title. Silver for Abbate/Montiel and Cassetta/Dal Pozzo; bronze for Cassetta/Iacovino and Orsi/Marchetti. The gap to Spain is closing, and the crowd in Taranto felt it.

Now the big picture. There is no better argument for Brisbane 2032 than what happened in Taranto: 18 nations entered, 244 countries could watch, and Tunisia won its first-ever international match. "We hope the Mediterranean Games have been another decisive step towards the biggest dream: the Olympic Games," said Sainz.

This was stop one of five multi-sport appearances in 2026–27. The South American Games come next in September. Padel's medal era has begun — and Spain wrote the first chapter.

Source: Padel FIP — Diestro and Gala win gold, Padel FIP — Sainz and Llaguno claim gold, Padel FIP — Araujo siblings win Mixed