Gold and silver in Grand Prix a Linz and four medals in Podgorica in the European Cup Junior. Today is a great day, with an irresistible Antonio Esposito winning the gold medal in the 81 kg and a brilliant Irene Pedrotti winning the silver medal in Linz on the second day of the Austrian Grand Prix. Five matches and five ippons for the twenty-nine year old Neapolitan who won 700 points which, in every sense, are golden!
“Strangely this day started well – he says Antonio Esposito– I woke up relaxed, calm and peaceful. And for the first time I slept through the night, which never happens to me before the race because I’m nervous and anxious. This time I found myself calm even when I got on the tatami, serene, I attacked hard… maybe because I slept well! The best among today’s five ippons? I choose the last one, the one in the final, because he was the most exciting of all. These are moments that I have been dreaming of for a long time, a really long time, this is the third four-year Olympic event that I have done and twice, for various reasons, I have not qualified. And now finally, I had dreamed of this race for a long time, this race, this celebration… I imagined it, I have always imagined it as what this Olympic qualification would be like. And I think that after today, with the points I have I think I have achieved it.”
“I’m proud of my race – she said Irene Pedrotti– how I dealt with it even if I have a bit of regret about the final but we move forward and continue to work on the mistakes. I thank Enrico Parlati who followed me exceptionally today (2 out of 2). Special thanks go to my dad and Matteo who gave me extra strength in the race today. I end by thanking the Accademia Torino and Alessandro who every day give me the opportunity to chase my dream. Let’s go”.
“Incredible day – commented the coach Enrico Parlati– 2 finals for gold and an Olympic qualification achieved… shame about Irene’s final who with a little conviction could have brought the gold home… for Antonio it was a day to remember, all ippon and ninth in the Olympic ranking now… the strength of this team surpasses all imagination if we think that Bright showed great judo, beat the top seed and lost only after 4 minutes of golden score… we are working great and Italy always shows more than being among the strongest nations in the world… as far as I’m concerned, now I’m going back into killer mode because we still have one day of competition tomorrow.”
Asia Advanced: “Yesterday was a day full of emotions for me, for the first time I fought in a Grand Prix final and although I had to stop one step away from the podium, I am happy with how this race went. I got on the tatami focused and determined, with the sole objective of giving my all until the end. Match after match I began to become more and more aware of myself, convincing myself that I would be able to end the day with a medal around my neck. Unfortunately, I am not managed to finish on a high note but I’m leaving this race with many positive feelings and energy for the next competitions.”
>>> SECOND DAY RESULTS
2024-03-09 19:00:16
#Golden #Grand #Prix #Antonio #Esposito #sees #Paris.. #Pedrotti #silver
