Gaia Massimetti is on the roof of the world. It took 90 seconds, Thursday 25 August, to close the practice with the feared Uzbek athlete Sugdiyona Rafkatova and, therefore, to get on the top step of the podium. Because that’s the place that suits the new under 18 world champion, in the 52 kilos category.
“It was a beautiful day” reads the Fijkam website, the Italian federation that collected the warm words of the Italian athlete – the emotion I felt was really great, but I managed to manage it well and give my best : it seems incredible to me too, but today everything came at the right time and the most precious medal arrived. I dedicate this medal to my coach Gianluca, to my gym mates who helped me to better prepare for this race and to my family who is always by my side “.
The coach and the training companions, in the New Florida Fitness Club in Casal Bertone, are ready to welcome Gaia’s return with open arms. “She is really talented, a perfectionist – explains Alessia Ritieni, a 24-year-old judoka who shares her commitment in the gym with Gaia – I have known her for about ten years, practically since she arrived and was a child. And I can confirm that she is very strong “.
To start the new Italian gold medal in Judo was the master Gianluca Ferro. “Gaia is a very determined girl, devoted to sacrifice. She trains with me three hours a day, divided between athletic training and judo session – explained the coach – she never has a problem at school and this year she will face the upper quarter. I would like to emphasize that seven or eight judokas have so far obtained such a result in Italy, I don’t think more. So we can be really proud ”. And like them can be Marco and Grazia, Gaia’s parents, his brother Marco and the whole Casal Bertone neighborhood that can now boast a world gold medal at the age of 17. Not bad.
