The judoka from Brescia won the Grand Slam in Budapest after a difficult period: «I think every day about the medal lost in Tokyo, but in the 78 kg I found myself. Outing? The only way to go further is to talk about it, now it no longer makes sense to be silent “
It was no ordinary victory on Sunday in Budapest, however Alice Bellandi: the Brescia judoka is 23 years old, but life has already put her in front of obstacles as hard as the opponents who, in Hungary, dominated in series dribbling the usual deadly scoreboard to the sound of “ippon”. The Hungarian Grand Slam was the first qualifying event for Paris 2024, but this matters little: Alice, after beating her fears, in the new weight category (78 kilograms) she knows she can beat anyone. And she has already proved it.
Alice, when did your breakthrough start?
“That short circuit I told you about ended in Tokyo (on 22 October 2020 he confessed to Courier of having lived a battle with bulimia and depression, ndr): the Olympics was a door that closed and from there a door opened, thanks to the transition to the 78 kilogram category (before competing in the 70) where I found my size. I took over myself with a new mental coach, Laura Pasqua: Francesco Fagnani, a nutritionist with whom I reset, also helped me a lot “.
How do you manage your weight?
«I reach 80 kilos at the most, but on the day of the race I also drop to about 76. I was determined in my choice, someone was convinced instead only on Sunday … ».
Was there skepticism?
“An understatement. But I have always been used to living with those who speak ill of me behind my back. It is the practice. When I went up to 78 kg, many said I was not up to par. Instead I was sure that here, without weight problems, I would find the security I lost after so many disappointments. The truth is that awareness, in judo, can only be found with results and in the hand-to-hand duel with your opponent. Now I’ve beaten the best in the world, I’ve made everyone agree. Even those who on social media, in the first defeat, give you up “.
Ever had doubts about judo?
«Now no, at fourteen – he smiles – yes. I had tried every form of discipline, at the SMV parish I was playing football with Elisa Mele, who would later win the Scudetto with Brescia. I was about to follow her, then for logistical reasons I chose to continue on the tatami. Sometimes chance is intertwined with fate. And then we Brescians have good blood for this sport ».
She lives in Rome. How does Brescia seem different to you?
«Brescia I live very little and I feel good, but in Rome I find more openness and dialogue. I’ll give you an example. Until Sunday I am in town, today I was walking in Corso Zanardelli with my dog Amstaff and many avoided him, changing their way, afraid of the breed. But my dog is very good, they even stop in Rome to compliment me. We Brescians are too closed, we rarely change our minds, we are conservative ».
On the contrary, before the Olympics you went out. A courageous choice. But don’t you think there is still too much silence in Italy?
«Look, I know that my girlfriend Chiara is the last person I hear before the races and the first I call at the end. She is always by my side: she was last year, just as she is now. I think it is normal to declare one’s homosexuality, I have never had any problem: it is love in any form, why do I have to hide or be ashamed? Or even be afraid, as perhaps happens to other athletes? If my family accepts it, I shouldn’t be interested in the opinion of others. The only way to go further is to talk about it, now it no longer makes sense to be silent ».
Do you still think about the injustice suffered in Tokyo?
“Every day, it’s the truth. I was now in the semifinals, before a review at the Var for a contact two minutes earlier. But I’m not thinking about Paris 2024, only about the next race: in October there will be the World Cup, I expect to hear from there again … ».
July 14, 2022 (change July 14, 2022 | 11:37)
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