PAOLA, Italy — In a stunning display of depth and precision, Tycke Sport Lamezia Excellence captured multiple podium finishes at the Italian National Badminton Challenge held in Paola over the weekend, reinforcing its status as one of the nation’s rising forces in the sport. The Calabria-based club returned home with medals across five categories, a result that underscores both its grassroots development and competitive ambition on the national stage.
The event, hosted at the PalaSport Paola facility from April 5–7, drew over 200 athletes representing clubs from Sicily to Lombardy, competing in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles divisions across U15, U17, U19, and senior age groups. Organized by the Italian Badminton Federation (FIBa), the Challenge serves as a key qualifier for national team consideration and offers valuable ranking points for international circuits.
Tycke Sport Lamezia Excellence’s standout performer was 17-year-old singles specialist Giulia Russo, who claimed gold in the U19 women’s division after dropping only one game en route to the final. Her victory over defending champion Sofia Marino of ASD Badminton Milano in straight sets (21-15, 21-12) marked her first national title at the youth level. Russo, who trains under head coach Marco Vitale at the club’s Lamezia Terme base, had previously reached the semifinals in 2023 but fell short of the podium.
“Giulia’s been working on her backhand cross-court and transition speed for months,” Vitale said in a post-match interview with FIBa.tv. “She stayed patient, moved Marino around, and executed when it counted. This win isn’t just about her — it’s a reflection of what we’re building here: disciplined training, mental toughness, and belief.”
The club’s success extended beyond individual accolades. In the U17 mixed doubles, the pairing of Luca Esposito and Chiara Ferrara secured bronze after a hard-fought semifinal loss to the eventual champions from Trentino Alto Adige. Their 21-18, 19-21, 21-17 quarterfinal win over a seeded Lazio duo highlighted their growing chemistry and court coverage.
Meanwhile, the senior men’s doubles team of Alessio Barbaro and Francesco Rizzo reached the quarterfinals before falling to the top-seeded pair from Bologna — a notable achievement given that both players balance training with university studies and part-time work. Barbaro, a civil engineering student at the University of Calabria, noted the challenge of maintaining peak fitness amid academic demands.
“It’s tough, but we make it work,” Barbaro said. “Early mornings, late nights — whatever it takes to get on the court. Results like this show it’s worth it.”
Tycke Sport Lamezia Excellence also earned podium finishes in the U15 girls’ doubles (silver) and U19 boys’ singles (bronze), bringing its total medal count to five — the highest haul by any Calabrian club in the tournament’s recent history. No other team from the region matched this breadth of success across age groups, and disciplines.
The achievement is particularly significant given the club’s relatively recent emergence on the national scene. Founded in 2018 as a community initiative to promote badminton in underserved areas of southern Italy, Tycke Sport Lamezia Excellence has grown from a handful of recreational players to a structured program with over 80 registered athletes, certified coaches, and a dedicated youth development pathway.
“We started with secondhand rackets and borrowed court time,” said club president Elena Greco. “Now we’re seeing our kids compete — and win — against academies with far more resources. It proves that with consistent support and smart coaching, talent can thrive anywhere.”
The Italian Badminton Federation has acknowledged the club’s progress, inviting several of its athletes to regional training camps ahead of the upcoming Mediterranean Youth Games selection process. FIBa’s technical director, Luca Bianchi, noted in a recent newsletter that southern clubs like Tycke Sport Lamezia are “beginning to close the gap” with traditional powerhouses in the north.
Looking ahead, the team turns its focus to the Italian Junior Grand Prix in Milan later this month, where several Lamezia athletes will test themselves against international competition. Greco emphasized that the Paola results are a milestone, not an endpoint.
“Medals are nice,” she said, “but what really matters is seeing these kids grow — in skill, in confidence, in character. That’s the real victory.”
For updates on Tycke Sport Lamezia Excellence’s upcoming fixtures and athlete profiles, visit the club’s official page on the Italian Badminton Federation website.
The next confirmed checkpoint for the team is the Italian Junior Grand Prix in Milan, scheduled for April 26–28, 2024, where they will aim to build on their Paola momentum against top-tier national and invited international competitors.
What did this weekend’s success mean for the club’s long-term vision? Share your thoughts in the comments below — and if you found this story informative, consider sharing it with fellow badminton enthusiasts.
