Between family, sport and personal growth, the path shared on the tatami between a federal coach and a young athlete in full evolution
Following in your father’s footsteps is never easy, especially when it comes to women’s sports and, even more so, a combat discipline like judo. Although some genetic traits can be passed on, there is no certainty about sporting inheritance. Often, however, it is the meeting between physical predisposition, family experience and passion that creates the right context for the growth of an athlete.
In Colturano this balance takes shape in the story of the judo master Antonio DeLisa and his daughter Jaycee Rachelyoung athlete registered with ASD Judo Floresal.
The first sporting choices and the freedom to experiment
Jaycee’s journey didn’t start right away on the mat. As the father says, the first sporting activities were influenced by friendships and oriented towards different disciplines. «No obligation, no forced choice, indeed, the first activities requested – influenced by friends – were classical dance and gymnastics and, as sporty parents, we have always tried to support her athletic choices, because the family must help you find the right path without imposing it and if the sporting activity is imposed you can end up hating it».
An educational approach based on listening, which allowed the young athlete to understand on her own what her path was.
The encounter with judo and the birth of passion
Despite her efforts, Jaycee did not feel fully satisfied. «From the beginning, however, she didn’t feel satisfied, it wasn’t what she wanted, she took part in the lessons only because of the presence of her friends, without going beyond the trial weeks, until one afternoon she was enchanted watching the judo matches on television and asked to be able to try».
From that moment curiosity was born which transformed into authentic passion.
Father and daughter, between distance and educational attention
To avoid possible tensions, Jaycee began her sporting journey far from home, following other teachers and training about 25 kilometers from Colturano. A shared choice, which allowed the girl to grow independently, despite the constant and discreet presence of her father. Subsequently, for school and work reasons, he joined the ASD Judo Floresal, with training between Colturano and Dresano under the direct guidance of his technical father.
The delicate double role of parent and coach
A common situation in many youth sports realities, especially in small municipalities, but not without difficulties. «At first it was difficult for Jaycee to distinguish the figure of the Technician from that of the parent. There was difficulty in understanding whether one was comparing oneself with the teacher or with the father, there was jealousy towards the other athletes treated as equals and constant calls for attention». A complex passage, which requires balance and awareness on the part of the adult.
Sport as an educational path
Second Antonio DeLisathe dual role can represent both an opportunity and a risk. «The double role can be a great resource, because it allows you to get to know the athlete at 360°, but at the same time it can prove harmful in case of excessive pressure, often linked to the constant demands we have on our children, especially in pushing them where we have failed in the past, eager to make them live our failed dream».
A thought that puts the well-being of young athletes at the center, before the sporting result.
The first results and conscious growth
After an initial adjustment phase, also marked by the change of category and inexperience, in the 2025/2026 season Jaycee seems to have found his dimension. The results speak of two first places and a second in the first three competitions held, encouraging signs of a growing path.
A tatami as a place of values and inclusion
However, the educational vision remains the fixed point. «The main objective always remains sport understood as a healthy sporting activity even before effort, sweat and the hunt for a medal. Before filling the agenda with tournaments, it is necessary to enrich the experience of young athletes, make them grow not only technically but also emotionally and culturally, leading them to personal as well as sporting maturation. On my tatami different cultures, various nationalities, many ways of thinking and reacting, strong and less strong characters, different physiques and special athletes coexist, but they are sporting brothers and sisters and I consider them and treat them all as children, like Jaycee».
A philosophy that tells how sport, when experienced with balance, can become an authentic tool for personal and collective growth.
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