334 Italians will participate between July and August at Tokyo Olympics. A number that could still grow in the coming days with the latest passes. Among these, there will also be two from Molise. A historical fact, never happened: the Isernina judoka Maria Centracchio and the Venafrano basketball coach Andrea Capobianco at the starting line. A record. Previously, the only athletes to take part in the five-circle competition were Casacalenda fencer Aldo Masciotta silver in 1936 in Berlin and Campobassano volleyball player Pasquale Gravina, silver in Atlanta 1996 and bronze in Sidney 2000.
Maria Centracchio, 26 years old, daughter of the master Bernardo which in our region is an institution in martial arts, is among the six qualified of the judo in the -63 kg category. And the satisfaction is really great, especially after sweating the proverbial seven shirts before crossing the prestigious finish line: “It was a moment of relief, of great joy, the dream of a lifetime has come true ”he tells Primonumero with emotion and transport.
An obstacle course, also made up of bad and difficult moments for the Fiamme Oro membership: “The journey that took me to Tokyo lasted a long time. Last year, before the pandemic, my ranking was firmer than in the final. A year in which I experienced many difficulties: first the mononucleosis, then covid, made me lose some rhythm. And so being able to stay in the standings was a huge relief “.
On the tatami (the mat on which the competitions take place) it has practically always been: what is needed to reach and maintain these very high levels? “There are no magic formulas, every athlete is different. I know I managed to win my satisfactions thanks to the stubbornness and the desire to reach higher and higher overcoming the difficulties “.
On the other hand, it was tough to emerge in a land that does not give anything away and that forces athletes to cross regional borders to find their own path often: “It’s true, it’s very difficult to emerge. Ours is a sport that is impossible to pursue alone, we need many partners. Since I was little I have been used to traveling around Italy and the world to find the most favorable conditions. And all this was possible thanks to my father ”.
Papa Bernardo is fundamental in the story of Maria. A father-athlete-teacher fundamental for the growth as well as definitely competitive personal of the pentra judoka. A special report, indissoluble, which will also be decisive in Japan, where Centracchio will play all its cards: “My father knows me very well. With just a glance we understand each other. We have gone through many things together, passed many stages, if I got here it is above all thanks to the fact that he has always invested in me ”.
Maria was Italian champion in 2017 and under 23 in 2012 while two years ago she won a great bronze at the European Championships.
It is clear that setting precise objectives for such an event is at least risky, considering all the variables that could make a difference. But who knows that the many sacrifices made and the apprenticeship made do not give that extra boost to the athlete from Molise: “In these days I have started preparing for the first competition which will take place in just over a month. The Olympics is special, anything can happen. Besides, judo is not mathematics, my goal is to live it with joy, always giving my best. And who knows that he may not be able to do something beautiful. Finally, I would like to send a beautiful message of hope to our land ”.
