Gennaro Pirelli Wins European Judo Gold in Tbilisi: A Triumph for Naples
TBILISI, Georgia — Gennaro Pirelli captured the gold medal in the men’s 73kg division at the 2024 European Judo Championships on Sunday, delivering a historic victory for Italian judo and igniting celebrations across his native Naples. The 24-year-old judoka defeated Azerbaijan’s Hidayat Heydarov in the final with a decisive ippon scored via seoi-nage, marking Italy’s first European title in the weight class since 2018 and underscoring a resurgence in the nation’s judo program.
Pirelli’s journey to the podium began with a commanding performance in the opening round, where he overcame Georgia’s Lasha Shavdatuashvili in a tense contest that saw him exploit a momentary lapse in the Georgian’s defense to secure a waza-ari. He then dispatched Ukraine’s Dmytro Kanivets with a textbook osoto-gari in the quarterfinals before facing a stern test against reigning world champion Lasha Bekauri of Georgia in the semifinals. Pirelli neutralized Bekauri’s famed gripping strength with precise footwork and capitalized on a fleeting opening to score ippon with a sumi-gaesh, setting up the final clash against Heydarov.
The final itself was a masterclass in tactical patience. Pirelli, known for his explosive transitions, initially allowed Heydarov to dictate the pace, using the Azerbaijani’s aggression to create counter opportunities. With the score locked at 0-0 entering the final minute, Pirelli seized a critical moment when Heydarov overcommitted on a left-handed attack. Stepping sharply to his right, Pirelli hooked Heydarov’s leg and drove forward with his shoulder, executing a flawless seoi-nage that sent his opponent crashing to the mat for ippon. The arena erupted as the Italian flag was raised, a moment Pirelli later described as “the culmination of years of sacrifice by my family, my coaches, and the entire Neapolitan judo community.”
This victory represents more than just a personal milestone for Pirelli. It arrives at a pivotal moment for Italian judo, which has sought to rebuild its competitive edge following a period of inconsistent results on the international stage. The Italian Judo Federation (FIJLKAM) has invested heavily in youth development programs over the past four years, particularly in southern Italy, where judo has deep cultural roots but limited access to elite training resources. Pirelli’s success is viewed as a direct outcome of these initiatives, with his coach, Massimo Felicisini, noting that the athlete’s development was supported by specialized camps in Naples and Salerno that focused on blending traditional techniques with modern sports science.
The win also carries significant emotional weight for the Campania region, where judo has long been a source of community pride despite economic challenges. Local officials in Naples highlighted Pirelli’s achievement as a symbol of resilience, with the city’s sports assessor, Emanuela Ferrante, stating that the victory “reinforces Naples’ reputation as a breeding ground for athletic excellence” and pledging increased municipal support for judo programs in underserved neighborhoods. Pirelli himself has been vocal about his desire to give back, announcing plans to host free clinics for young athletes in the city’s historic center later this year.
Looking ahead, Pirelli’s focus shifts to the Olympic Games in Paris, where he will aim to build on this momentum. Italy has not won an Olympic judo medal since 2012, and Pirelli’s European title positions him as a leading contender for a podium finish in the 73kg division. His immediate next step is participation in the Grand Slam Tbilisi in October, a key preparatory event for Olympic qualification. As the judo world turns its attention to Paris 2024, Pirelli’s triumph in Tbilisi serves as a powerful reminder that excellence can emerge from unexpected places, and that the spirit of “orgoglio napoletano” — Neapolitan pride — continues to inspire athletes across the globe.
For ongoing updates on Gennaro Pirelli’s journey and the latest developments in European judo, follow the official channels of the International Judo Federation and the Italian Judo Federation. Share your thoughts on this historic victory in the comments below.
