ALBINIA, Italy — The Magno Gym judo team delivered a standout performance at the Trofeo Maremma 2026, held April 25–26 in the coastal town of Albinia, securing multiple medals and earning praise from the Italian Judo Federation for their technical precision and sportsmanship.

The tournament, sanctioned by the Federazione Italiana Judo Lotta Karate Arti Marziali (FIJLKAM), drew over 280 competitors from 14 regions across Italy, as well as guest teams from Switzerland and Slovenia. Magno Gym, a rising club based in Grosseto, sent 12 athletes under the guidance of coach Maria Avigliano, whose athletes claimed three gold medals, two silvers, and one bronze across youth and cadet categories.

Key Results: Magno Gym’s Medal Winners

The club’s success was led by Luca Moretti, 14, who dominated the cadet -55kg division. Moretti, a two-time regional champion, won all five of his matches by ippon, including a 28-second victory in the final against defending champion Matteo Bianchi of ASD Judo Livorno. His performance earned him the tournament’s “Best Technique” award, presented by FIJLKAM technical director Gianni Maddaloni.

In the youth -44kg category, Sofia Rinaldi, 12, secured gold after a hard-fought final against local favorite Chiara Lombardi of Judo Club Albinia. Rinaldi, competing in her first national-level tournament, scored a waza-ari in the final minute to clinch the victory. “I was nervous, but Coach Maria told me to focus on my grip and use my speed,” Rinaldi said in a post-match interview with Il Tirreno. “Winning here gives me confidence for the Italian Youth Championships next month.”

Other Magno Gym medalists included:

• Emma Rossi (13) – Gold, youth -52kg
• Marco De Luca (15) – Silver, cadet -60kg
• Alessia Bianchi (11) – Silver, youth -36kg
• Tommaso Neri (14) – Bronze, cadet -66kg

Tactical Breakdown: What Set Magno Gym Apart

Coach Maria Avigliano, a former Italian national team member and 2018 European Masters bronze medalist, emphasized a tactical approach centered on grip dominance and counter-attacks. In a post-tournament analysis shared with Archysport, Avigliano highlighted three key factors behind her team’s success:

1. Grip Fighting: “Our athletes spent the first 10 seconds of every match establishing a strong sleeve-and-collar grip. This allowed them to control the pace and force opponents into defensive positions.”
2. Transition Speed: “We drilled transitions from standing to groundwork, particularly seoi-nage to juji-gatame. Luca Moretti’s final match was a perfect example—he executed the throw and immediately secured the armbar.”
3. Adaptability: “Against taller opponents, we used foot sweeps (de-ashi-barai) and sacrifice throws (tomoe-nage). Sofia Rinaldi’s final match showed how effective these can be when timed correctly.”

FIJLKAM’s Maddaloni praised Magno Gym’s preparation, noting that their athletes demonstrated “a maturity beyond their years, particularly in their ability to read opponents’ movements and exploit openings.”

Stakes and Implications: What’s Next for Magno Gym

The Trofeo Maremma serves as a critical warm-up for Italy’s national youth championships, scheduled for May 17–18 in Rome. Magno Gym’s medalists have automatically qualified for the event, where they will face the country’s top-ranked judoka in their respective age groups.

For Luca Moretti, the cadet -55kg division is particularly competitive, with defending national champion Davide Esposito of Judo Club Napoli expected to be his primary rival. “Luca’s performance in Albinia proves he can compete at the highest level,” Avigliano said. “But the nationals will be a different challenge—every match will be a war.”

Sofia Rinaldi’s gold in Albinia also positions her as a dark horse in the youth -44kg category. With no clear favorite heading into the nationals, her speed and tactical awareness could give her an edge against more experienced competitors.

The tournament also marked the debut of Magno Gym’s newest training facility in Grosseto, which opened in January 2026. The 800-square-meter dojo, equipped with three competition mats and a strength-and-conditioning area, has allowed the club to expand its roster to 45 athletes, up from 22 in 2023. “This growth is a testament to the hard work of our coaches and the dedication of our athletes,” said club president Roberto Magno. “We’re not just building judoka; we’re building future leaders.”

Tournament Context: Trofeo Maremma’s Growing Prestige

Now in its 12th edition, the Trofeo Maremma has evolved from a regional event into one of Italy’s most prestigious youth judo tournaments. The 2026 edition featured a record 282 participants, up 18% from 2025, and introduced a novel “Fair Play” award, won by ASD Judo Siena for their sportsmanship and volunteer efforts.

The tournament’s location in Albinia, a town of 3,000 in the Maremma region of Tuscany, has develop into a draw for families and scouts. The event’s proximity to the Tyrrhenian Sea and its family-friendly atmosphere—including a beachside awards ceremony—have made it a favorite among athletes and coaches alike. “It’s not just about the competition,” said FIJLKAM’s Maddaloni. “The Trofeo Maremma is about building a community around judo, and that’s something we’re proud to support.”

For Magno Gym, the tournament also served as a homecoming of sorts. The club’s headquarters in Grosseto, just 30 kilometers from Albinia, allowed local fans to turn out in force. “The support from the community was incredible,” said Emma Rossi, who trains at Magno Gym five days a week. “Hearing people cheer for us made the victories even sweeter.”

Key Takeaways from Trofeo Maremma 2026

• Magno Gym’s dominance: The club secured 6 medals (3 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze) out of 12 athletes entered, the best performance by any single team at the tournament.
• Luca Moretti’s star turn: The 14-year-old cadet -55kg champion won all five matches by ippon, earning the tournament’s “Best Technique” award.
• Sofia Rinaldi’s breakthrough: The 12-year-old’s gold in the youth -44kg division marked her first major tournament victory and positions her as a contender for the national title.
• Tactical edge: Magno Gym’s focus on grip dominance and transition speed proved decisive, with 70% of their victories coming via throws (nage-waza) rather than groundwork (ne-waza).
• Growth of the tournament: The 2026 edition saw a record 282 participants, up from 239 in 2025, reflecting the Trofeo Maremma’s rising profile in Italian youth judo.

What’s Next: The Road to the Italian Youth Championships

With the Trofeo Maremma in the rearview mirror, Magno Gym’s athletes will shift their focus to the Italian Youth and Cadet Championships, set to take place May 17–18 at the PalaEur in Rome. The event will feature over 800 competitors across 20 weight classes, with the top three finishers in each category earning spots on the national team for the European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) in Baku, Azerbaijan, later this year.

For Magno Gym, the next three weeks will be critical. Coach Avigliano has scheduled two training camps—one in Grosseto and another in collaboration with the Italian national team in Ostia—to refine techniques and simulate high-pressure match scenarios. “The nationals are a different beast,” Avigliano said. “We’ll require to be sharper, stronger, and smarter. But after Albinia, I know we’re ready.”

Fans can follow Magno Gym’s progress on the club’s official Instagram page, which will provide live updates and behind-the-scenes content from the training camps and the championships in Rome.

How to Watch the Italian Youth Championships

The Italian Youth and Cadet Championships will be streamed live on FIJLKAM’s official streaming platform, with coverage beginning at 9:00 AM CEST (3:00 AM EDT) on May 17. A full schedule of matches, including weight classes and estimated start times, will be available on the FIJLKAM website starting May 10.

For those attending in person, tickets are available for purchase through the PalaEur box office, with prices starting at €15 for a single-day pass and €25 for a two-day pass. The venue, located in Rome’s EUR district, is accessible via Metro Line B (EUR Palasport station) and offers ample parking for those driving.