Gamba at the European Open: a bronze of great value

European Open of wonders for judo Italy, which last weekend at the Play Hall in Riccione showed all its strength. Among the stars shines brightly that of Giacomo Gamba, former judoka of the Forza and Costanza and now in force at the Carabinieri Group, who conquers the 3rd step of the podium in the -81 kg category. Over 400 athletes from 36 nations representing 4 continents. An important and top-level competition with numerous champions. In Gamba’s category there were the Iranian Saeid Mollaei, vice Olympic champion in Tokyo 2020, and the Dutch Frank De Wit, world bronze in charge. «The level was from the Grand Prix or Grand Slam – says Gamba -. From the first to the last fight I had to give my all, which generally creates difficulties for me because I need one or two fights to break in and really get into the race. But already from the warm-up I concentrated and managed to overcome one of my limits and to be competitive from the first match ». After defeating the Swiss Lukas Wittwer in the first match, Gamba liquidates the English Lachlan Moorhead, medalist in the Grand Slam, of Wazari. In the quarterfinals he confronts the Ukrainian Hievorh Manukian, an opponent who had defeated him in Sofia, and wins by pinning in extra time. “It was a match that I wanted to take home – Gamba says -, he is a very strong athlete but at the golden score I felt in his hands that he was going down and it could have been my chance”. In the semifinal Gamba confronts the Dutch De Wit and loses the match: «I had already beaten De Wit in the European Championship – recalls the Brescia player -, but because of the drop in tension after the match with the Ukrainian I really wanted to win, I realize, tactically I have not been so impactful. I lost but I immediately regained my concentration ». At the repechage Gamba meets the Portuguese Joao Fernando, bronze at the Zagreb Grand Prix, and beats him by wazari in regulation time, putting the bronze medal around his neck. «It was the highest level podium of my career – continues Gamba-, I met judoka whom I looked at with admiration since I was a child. Until a year ago I had this feeling of incredible distance from these judo “monsters”, now I’m starting to forget about it and have my say on the mat ». A path, that of Gamba, which translates the great commitment he puts into training every day: “It’s easy to see the result, but behind there are more days in which you lose than those in which you win – says Gamba-, then when you reach the goal those negative moments where you don’t feel strong enough take on color and remind me that it is thanks to those that I have come this far ». Never giving up is the way to success and Gamba has perseverance and the strength to never let yourself down: “It was nice to have my mother, my sister and my girlfriend in the stands to see me fight, because now I’m always abroad – Giacomo closes -. This medal belongs to a few people, those closest to me from the family, to my teammates with whom I train and former teammates who follow me. In particular, I would like to thank my coaches Matteo Marconcini and Giovanni Carollo and the commander Luigi Guido who are showing openness and intelligence towards us, trying to understand the needs of each of us ». After the race, the training camp opened with the participants in the race and other national teams. A great opportunity for discussion. For Gamba now a week of training in Valencia and 2 of collegiate for the World Cup. •. © REPRODUCTION RESERVED