The blue judo team that will participate in the Masters scheduled in Doha from 11 to 13 January started this morning. With the Director Tecnico Kiyoshi Murakami, the technicians Dario Romano e Francesco Bruyere, the Covid Manager Alessandro Comi and doctors Stefano Bonagura e Paolo De Persio there are the ten athletes who have earned the precious ‘invitation’ thanks to the ‘top 32’ position in the world rankings.
As is well known, these are four women, Odette Giuffrida, Maria Centracchio, Edwige Gwend, Alice Bellandi, and six men, Manuel Lombardo, Fabio Basile, Giovanni Esposito, Antonio Esposito, Christian Parlati, Nicholas Mungai.
The event recorded the participation of 370 athletes (203 M, 167 F) from 68 nations representing the five continents and, in the ultramodern Multipurpose Hall in Lusail, celebrates the assignment of the organization for the 2023 world championship to Doha.
JUDO, THE WORDS OF BRUYERE
“The boys are fine – said Francesco Bruyere – the date chosen for this Master is certainly a bit special and, between the holidays and the lockdown, it was not easy to prepare it. However, we did a lot of work before Christmas and left immediately on January 2nd with the pre-race finishing. Obviously we are back on the bubble with all the necessary safety measures and at the first swab we all tested negative. The team is doing well, they are aware of their possibilities and are ready to show it as always ”.
This instead, was the comment of Odette Giuffrida: “We gave all of ourselves for this Master, we skipped Christmas and New Year, we trained in any way possible.
We really wanted this Masters, now it’s time to collect ”. Maria Centracchio: “I am very happy to face this race. I’m ready to give everything and put new bricks to build my path ”.
Edwige Gwend: “A special race for an equally special period … My hope is to be able to experience this race to the fullest and that the result will arrive just as positive”.
Fabio Basile: “I will not be 100% due to those injuries that, thanks to the extraordinary commitment of our doctors, we do everything possible to recover. In any case, I am always an animal ”.
Antonio Esposito: “I’m ready to give everything, I feel fit and I can’t wait to fight !!!”. The final stages of the three days can be followed live on Sky Sport Arena with the commentary by Ivano Pasqualino e Ylenia Scapin (Monday 15-17.30, Tuesday 15-17, Wednesday 15-17.30).
The program
Monday 11: F 48, 52, 57 kg; M 60, 66 kg
Martedì 12: F 63, 70 kg; M 73, 81 kg
Wednesday 13: F 78, +78 kg; M 90, 100, +100 kg
