After more than two years of waiting, the absolute Italian badminton and para-badminton championships finally took place in Milan from 19 to 21 November.
Among the numerous members there was also the participation of two Genoese athletes, both members of the Genova Badminton Club: Tommaso Libertini, member of the Italian national team of Parabadminton and reigning Italian champion category sl4 e Thomas Bianchi, who qualified in the mixed doubles as seeded number 5/8 together with his partner Adele Bobbio (Acqui Badminton Club).
In the sl3 / sl4 match, for para-badminton, Libertini manages to conquer the victory with full points, winning all the matches, graduating for the third consecutive time Italian champion sl4 category. A decidedly important success for the young para-athlete who confirms him as the best in Italy in his category at just 16 years old.
Thomas Bianchi, unlucky in the draws of the single and the men’s doubles, still manages to get an important quarter-final in the mixed together with his partner Adele Bobbio, only yielding to the number 1 seeded, Passeri-Salutt.
Great satisfaction is expressed by the President of the GBC, Federico Bianchi: “These are exceptional results for our club, which come after two years of extreme difficulty due to the closure of the gyms. An Italian title and a quarter-final are a source of pride for a club like ours. The commitment of everyone, athletes, coaches, parents and managers, often manages to bridge the gap with clubs that have always been at the top of national badminton due to history, availability of space, and economic resources.
Future projects? Meanwhile, we have other talents to grow in the competitive field and then we want to spread our sport in an increasingly widespread way, both in schools and in free time, also with projects aimed at people with disabilities which, as Tommaso Libertini demonstrates, they can find in the badminton an ideal place to express all their desire for sport and to get involved. And then in the background remains the very important appointment of Genoa 2024 European Capital of Sport, for which we want to bring at least a couple of major international events to the city “.
In short, the Genoese badminton returns from these Absolute Championships strong of the results, but also and above all of the passion and determination of a Club that for over twenty years has cultivated an idea of sport marked not only by competition, but also and above all by growth. of girls and boys, to offer for adults, to activities in schools and to inclusion. A beautiful reality for our city and a great opportunity to practice both high-level and amateur sports.
Anyone wishing to get to know the Genova Badminton Club better can visit the site www.genovabadminton.com
