A Passion for Judo: The Road to Redemption at the Paris Olympics

A deep passion for judo and fixed thoughts, the Paris Olympics. Manuel Lombardo, 25 years old from Turin, accountant with a passion for Japanese literature, has been at the gym in Settimo Torinese since he was a child to follow Daniel, his older brother, dreams and works. He works and dreams. “Let’s be clear. I’m going to the Games to win gold, not to participate.” A fifth dan black belt (the maximum for competitive athletes), he is second in the international ranking list. On the French tatami he will compete in the 73 kg category. Clear ideas and total dedication. “I have the pass and from this I start my adventure.” It will be a summer of great sacrifice for the Italian player registered for the Army who, in order not to get distracted, has also decided to cut short the World Championships in May in Abu Dabhi. “I’m jumping, I want to stay focused on the five-circle goal. That day comes every four years.”

Remaining in an Olympic climate. How did it go in Tokyo?

“I arrived as the top seed, I was first in the ranking but I placed fifth. I lost against the Korean who I had already beaten… When I look back I feel disappointment, bitterness. In Paris I seek redemption.”

How did your love for this sport begin?

“It’s judo that chose me, it’s the aspect of my life where I express myself best. I feel intense emotions, from the fatigue in training to the joy or disappointment of the competition.”

How much do you work in the gym?

“Six days a week, twice a day. A couple of hours of athletic training in the morning and judo in the evening.”

Do you follow a particular diet?

“I eat a bit of everything. Scraps included! I rely on a nutritionist. Now I’m 79kg. The goal is to lose fluids and weight to reach 73 kg on July 28th afternoon at 5pm when I will weigh myself before the race, scheduled for the following day”.

And the mind?

“I started being followed by the psychologist – Andrea Martinetti, former athlete – in January 2023. I like finding a new point of view, a different perspective and a window on the world. I will arrive in Paris in top form and with high expectations. The final result, however, is out of my control but I want to give the best version of myself. The goal is to have a stoic approach and focus on the path.”

How do you spend the (little) free time available to you?

“I love reading, I almost always choose books about stoicism. That’s why I talk about it so much. Haruki Murakami is my favorite writer. My books are challenging, never anything light. Running is also among his favorite pastimes. He has sneakers, headphones and so on…”.

How do you define judo?

“It is a discipline, an Olympic sport that contains important values. An example? When you get on the tatami, a greeting is obligatory. It means respect for the teacher, training partners and opponents. Without comparison there is no improvement.”

What relationship does it have with social media?

“I share intense moments of my life and career. But I’m not addicted to it. I couldn’t stand it.”

Did you follow the tennis finals as a Turin native?

“It was impossible not to follow Sinner in those days. Jannik won me over too. I appreciated the approach he had in the semi-final. If he had lost to Rune, he would have avoided Djokovic. Instead, as a sportsman as he is, he won against the Dane and then we know how it ended. Nole won but Jannik played cleanly. Well, I would have done the same.”

What relationship does it have with Japan? Do you go there often?

“I’ve been there more than ten times and I even celebrated four birthdays there… including my 18th birthday. It’s the best place to train. With my club we go once a year, two weeks in the gym.”

Your favorite Japanese dishes?

“Sushi is delicious but I love Kobe beef.”

2024-03-25 18:45:11
#Olympics #Lombardos #dream #training #Murakamis #books #Judo #passion #gold #Paris