Italian Judo Stars Shine at european U23 Championships: Carna Claims Gold, Accogli and Ghiglione Secure bronze
Chisinau, Moldova – The European U23 Judo championships proved too be a thrilling showcase of emerging talent, with Italian judokas making a meaningful impact on the mat. While the quest for gold was a dominant theme, the grit and determination displayed by the Azzurri in securing multiple bronze medals underscored the depth of talent within the Italian judo program.
giulia Carna Dominates to Capture U23 European Gold
In a performance that radiated confidence and skill, Giulia Carna emerged as the undisputed champion in her category, clinching the coveted U23 European gold medal. Carna’s journey to the top was a masterclass in strategic judo, focusing on building momentum match by match.
The objective of this race was to BUILD,
Carna shared, reflecting on her triumphant campaign. Match after match, without rushing and not worrying about the result. I lived every match to my full potential and I am extremely happy that I was able to experience this first European U23 Championship with great tranquility, and even more satisfied in having won this gold medal in a category in which I lacked it.
Carna’s victory is a testament to her dedication and the robust support system around her. She expressed profound gratitude to the Fiamme Oro for providing her with optimal training conditions and to her coach, Fabrizio Fantauzzo, for his unwavering guidance throughout the competition. The judo Virtus family, including Master Marco and her training partners, also received heartfelt thanks for their contributions to her success. The mental fortitude required at this level was further bolstered by her mental coach, Costanza, and the unwavering support of her family.
Accogli and Ghiglione Fight Back for Hard-Earned Bronze Medals
The Italian contingent also celebrated the impressive bronze medal performances of Valerio Accogli and Giulia Ghiglione,showcasing their resilience and fighting spirit.
Valerio Accogli, competing in a tough division, demonstrated remarkable recovery after an initial setback. His path to the podium saw him overcome strong opponents, including Moraru and Hambaryan, before ultimately securing the bronze medal by defeating Polikevicius of Lithuania.
I arrived in Chisinau aiming for the European title,
Accogli stated. Unfortunately, the hoped-for result did not arrive but it is still an crucial medal. I had good feelings from the first match and managed to maintain concentration untill the end.
Accogli acknowledged the crucial support from CS Carabinieri,which has been instrumental in his consistent growth.
Giulia ghiglione,in the -48 kg category,also displayed unbelievable tenacity. After an impressive ippon victory over Tomankova of Slovakia, she faced a narrow defeat in the quarterfinals against Turkey’s Ertem by a single yuko. However, Ghiglione channeled this disappointment into a powerful comeback, securing two consecutive wins against Vainer (Moldova) and Perez Soler (Spain) to claim the European bronze.
Rocco Rounds Out Italian Success with Another Bronze
Adding to the Italian medal haul, Alessandra Rocco secured a bronze medal in the -52 kg category. Her journey to the podium included victories over Herta (Moldova) and Beres (France). Despite a semi-final loss to Serbia’s Nisavic, Rocco showcased her fighting spirit by delivering a decisive ippon against Chiron (Moldova) in the bronze medal match.
Insights for U.S. Judo Enthusiasts
The performances of these Italian judokas offer valuable insights for American judo fans and aspiring athletes. Carna’s emphasis on a “match-by-match” approach, focusing on process over immediate results, is a strategy that can be applied across all levels of sport. This mirrors the philosophy seen in many accomplished American collegiate and professional sports programs, where consistent development and incremental progress are key to long-term success.
The resilience shown by Accogli and Ghiglione in overcoming defeats and fighting back for medals is a powerful reminder of the mental fortitude required in competitive judo. This “never-give-up” attitude is a hallmark of many celebrated American athletes,from Olympic gymnasts to basketball stars who have overcome adversity to achieve greatness.
Areas for Further Exploration:
* Coaching Methodologies: Understanding the specific training methodologies employed by Italian coaches like Fabrizio Fantauzzo could offer valuable lessons for U.S. judo coaches looking to enhance athlete development.
* Mental Conditioning: The explicit mention of a mental coach by Giulia Carna highlights the growing importance of sports psychology in judo. Exploring how U.S. judo programs are integrating mental conditioning could be a fruitful area of research.
* Talent identification and Development: Examining the pathways these Italian athletes took from junior levels to U23 success could provide a blueprint for strengthening talent identification and development pipelines within the united states.
The European U23 Judo Championships have once again demonstrated the high caliber of international judo. The success of the Italian team, especially the gold medal performance by Giulia Carna and the determined bronze medal efforts of Valerio Accogli and Giulia
Italian judo Stars Shine, But Luck Plays a Role in European Championship Quest
rome, italy – The European Judo Championships delivered a mix of triumph and near-misses for the Italian contingent, with several athletes showcasing grit and determination on the mat. While medals were secured,the sentiment among some of the judokas was a familiar one in elite sports: the crucial,often intangible,element of luck.
The Italian team’s performance was a testament to their hard work and dedication, but as one athlete put it, “Every now and then a pinch of luck is needed, added to hard work and dedication.”
This sentiment echoed through the post-match interviews, highlighting the razor-thin margins that frequently enough separate victory from defeat at this level.
Ghislaine’s Grit and the Power of the Ippon
One of the standout performances came from Ghislaine, who, despite admitting to not fighting at her full potential and finding herself in challenging positions, managed to secure a medal. “I’m not at all happy with how the matches went,”
she confessed. “I didn’t fight to my full potential and I fell behind several times only to recover with an ippon.”
This ability to dig deep and execute a decisive ippon – the ultimate score in judo, akin to a knockout in boxing – proved to be her saving grace.Ultimately, the result is what matters, and the medal is a tangible reward for her resilience. She extended her gratitude to her support system: “I want to thank my family, my coaches and teammates who help and encourage me every day to become a better judoka, the lord who stands by me in victory and defeat and the Group Army sportsman who strongly supports me.”
Giulia Ghiglione: A Step Forward in Ground Fighting
Giulia Ghiglione also expressed satisfaction with her performance, even if the color of the medal wasn’t exactly what she envisioned. “I would have liked the medal to be in a different color but I am happy with the result and the way I fought,”
she stated. A particularly encouraging aspect for Ghiglione was her advancement in ground fighting,an area where she previously lacked confidence. This development is significant, as ground techniques, or “ne-waza,” are increasingly crucial in modern judo, much like grappling in mixed martial arts. Her success here demonstrates a strategic evolution in her game. She also acknowledged the unwavering support she receives: “I thank my family, my coaches and the Army Sports Group for their constant support.”
Alessandra Rocco: A Dream realized
For Alessandra Rocco,the European Championships marked a career milestone. “I’m very happy for today’s race, my first critically important medal has finally arrived, maybe it will take me a few days to metabolize everything,”
she shared, still processing the magnitude of her achievement. this first major medal is often a turning point for athletes, providing the validation and confidence needed to aim for even greater heights. Her heartfelt thanks went to her parents, who were present to witness her success: “I thank my parents who came here, they are and will always be my strength.”
She also recognized the vital role of her coaches, Matteo Piras, Pierangelo Toniolo, and marco Pacifico, in her technical and personal development.
Near Misses and Future Prospects
While medals were celebrated, the competition also saw some heartbreaking near-misses. Pietro Andreini (-60 kg) and Elena Guarducci (-48 kg) narrowly missed out on bronze medals, falling in their respective bronze medal matches. This is a common narrative in judo, where a single mistake can be the difference between standing on the podium and finishing just outside. Seventh-place finishes for Sara Corbo (-63 kg) and Federico Bosis (-73 kg) indicate solid performances but also highlight the ongoing pursuit of that elusive medal.
the day was also marked by a touch of misfortune for Giulia Giorgi (-52 kg), Gaia Massimetti (-57 kg), and Fabrizio Esposito (-73 kg), who faced tough draws or encountered unforeseen challenges.
Looking Ahead: The Next Wave of Italian Talent
The action continues tomorrow with a strong lineup of Italian judokas set to compete. Sports enthusiasts can catch the live action on judo.tv, featuring:
* Claudia Sperotti (-78 kg)
* tiziana Marini (+78 kg)
* bright Maddaloni Nosa and Manuel Parlati (-81 kg)
* Jean Carletti and Henry Owusu Asare Owusu (-100 kg)
The depth of talent within the Italian judo program is evident, and the performances at this European Championship
