On Sunday, Cuban gymnast Manrique Larduet successfully defended his title at the 2026 Italian Absolute Championships, claiming the top spot for the second consecutive year. His triumph underscores his dominance in the field of artistic gymnastics in Italy.
The men's all-around final took place at Palameda di Meda, where Larduet amassed a remarkable 82.900 points, decisively outpacing his competitors. This performance surpassed his previous victory score of 81.250 points from the 2025 championship.
The podium mirrored last year's results: Yumin Abbadini secured the silver with 80.400 points, while Simone Speranza narrowly clinched third place with 80.100 points in a close battle for the runner-up position.
Competing for the Gymnastics Romagna Team, Larduet has established an unprecedented reign in the Italian national circuit since his arrival in 2022, sporting the club's colors.
Born in Santiago de Cuba in July 1996, Larduet relocated to Italy after parting ways with Cuba's INDER sports system in February 2021, a move partly triggered by the expulsion of his coach, Carlos Rafael Gil, from the organization.
The INDER publicly claimed Larduet lacked the required physical fitness for the Tokyo Olympics; however, he refuted this, stating that his departure was voluntary and predated the official statements.
In July 2022, Larduet resumed his athletic pursuits in Italy, initially joining the club Palestra As Gin-Ssd Ginnastica Civitavecchia before transitioning to the Gymnastics Romagna Team.
His prior accolades include a silver medal in the all-around at the 2015 World Championships in Glasgow and participation as a finalist in the Rio 2016 Olympics.
At the 2025 Italian Championships held in Quartu Sant'Elena, Larduet not only claimed the absolute title but also secured gold medals in rings and parallel bars, along with a bronze on the horizontal bar, showcasing a versatility that he continues to demonstrate in 2026.
The Italian Absolute Championships in Meda serve as the final trial before the European Championships in Zagreb, adding significance to this event in the season's calendar.
With the all-around title already secured, focus now shifts to the apparatus finals, both men's and women's, which will conclude the 2026 Italian Championships in Meda. Larduet aims to add more gold medals to his growing collection.
FAQs about Manrique Larduet's Achievements in Italy
What was Manrique Larduet's score in the 2026 Italian Championships?
Manrique Larduet scored 82.900 points in the 2026 Italian Championships, surpassing his previous winning score from 2025.
Which club does Manrique Larduet represent in Italy?
Manrique Larduet represents the Gymnastics Romagna Team in Italy.
Why did Manrique Larduet leave Cuba's INDER?
Manrique Larduet left Cuba's INDER due to disputes over his physical readiness for the Olympics and the expulsion of his coach, Carlos Rafael Gil.
What are some of Larduet's previous gymnastics achievements?
Larduet has a silver medal from the 2015 World Championships and was a finalist in the Rio 2016 Olympics.