Gold and Bronze in Veroli: Sarah Ferraro and Giulio Smiroldo Shine at Trofeo Italia Esordienti B

The energy inside the PalaCoccia in Veroli reached a fever pitch this past weekend as the Trofeo Italia Esordienti B “Memorial Augusto Ceracchini” brought together the next generation of Italian martial arts. With more than 660 young judoka descending upon the venue from every corner of the peninsula, the stakes were high, the mats were crowded, and the competition was relentless.

Among the sea of white judogi, two names from Furci emerged as the weekend’s standout performers. Sarah Ferraro delivered a masterclass in technical precision to claim the top spot on the podium, while Giulio Smiroldo showcased a gritty, resilient path to a bronze medal. For the Furcesi athletes, the event wasn’t just about the hardware—it was a statement of intent on the national stage.

As the Editor-in-Chief of Archysport, I have covered everything from the Olympic Games to the World Cup, and there is something uniquely electric about youth championships. You see the raw intersection of nerves and talent. In Veroli, that intersection produced some of the most clinical judo seen in the Esordienti B category this year.

The Golden Path: Sarah Ferraro’s Dominance

In the girls’ -44 kg category, Sarah Ferraro didn’t just win; she dictated the terms of every encounter. Her journey to the gold medal was a progression of increasing authority, starting with a disciplined victory over Sarah Veglia in the round of 32.

The difficulty ramped up in the round of 16, where Ferraro faced Carlotta Pasquale of Kumiai. It was a tightly contested battle that tested Ferraro’s endurance and tactical patience. However, she managed to navigate the clash, securing her place in the quarter-finals where she met Giulia Girello of Sacilese. Ferraro handled Girello with a level of composure that suggested she was playing a different game than her opponents, punching her ticket to the semi-finals.

It was in the semi-finals that Ferraro truly shifted gears. Facing Samuela Monopoli from Brescia, Ferraro needed only one minute to end the contest. She executed a stunning uchi mata—an inner-thigh throw that is one of the most challenging techniques to master—scoring a decisive ippon. For those unfamiliar with the sport, an ippon is the “knockout” of judo, ending the match instantly by throwing the opponent flat on their back with force and control.

The final match against Aurora Zuppardi was less of a contest and more of an exclamation point. Seconds after the clock started, Ferraro unleashed another perfect uchi mata. The speed and precision of the throw left Zuppardi no room to recover, securing the gold medal for Ferraro in a dominant fashion.

Resilience in the Repechage: Giulio Smiroldo’s Bronze

While Ferraro’s path was a straight line to the top, Giulio Smiroldo’s journey in the -42 kg category was a lesson in mental toughness. Smiroldo started the tournament with explosive power, scoring ippons in both the round of 64 against Flavio Caizza and the round of 32 against Vito Bondanese.

However, the momentum hit a wall in the round of 16. Smiroldo fell to Elia Vitelli, a loss that would have ended the day for many young athletes. In the world of judo, however, the repechage offers a second chance—a grueling bracket where defeated athletes fight their way back toward a bronze medal.

Smiroldo embraced the grind. He fought through a series of high-pressure matches, recording consecutive victories over Polverini, Canu, and Frati. This climb back up the standings required not just physical strength, but the ability to reset mentally after a heartbreaking loss. His perseverance paid off, as he secured a prestigious third-place finish, adding another medal to the Furci tally.

Technical Breakdown: The Power of the Uchi Mata

From a technical standpoint, Sarah Ferraro’s reliance on the uchi mata is noteworthy. In youth judo, many athletes rely on basic trips or raw strength. To see a practitioner at the Esordienti B level consistently land the inner-thigh throw suggests a high level of coaching and a deep understanding of balance and leverage.

The uchi mata requires the attacker to pivot and swing their leg between the opponent’s legs to lift and rotate them. When executed with the timing Ferraro displayed in the final, it is nearly impossible to defend. This technical superiority was the deciding factor that separated her from a crowded field of 660 competitors.

The Scale of the Memorial Augusto Ceracchini

The event, sanctioned by FIJLKAM (the Italian Judo, Karate, and Wrestling Federation), is more than just a tournament; it is a memorial. By naming the event the “Memorial Augusto Ceracchini,” the federation honors the legacy of the sport’s pioneers while providing a platform for the youth.

Hosting over 600 athletes in a single venue like the PalaCoccia creates a high-pressure environment. For young judoka, managing the noise, the waiting periods between matches, and the intensity of the tatami is as much a part of the competition as the throws themselves. The success of the Furcesi athletes speaks to their ability to handle the atmospheric pressure of a national-level event.

What This Means for the Future

Success at the Trofeo Italia Esordienti B often serves as a bellwether for future success in higher age brackets. For Ferraro, the gold medal establishes her as a primary contender in her weight class heading into the next season. For Smiroldo, the bronze medal—won through the repechage—demonstrates a psychological resilience that is often more valuable than a flawless run.

In judo, the ability to lose, adapt, and win again is what defines a champion. Smiroldo’s performance in the repechage suggests he has the mental fortitude to compete at the highest levels of the sport as he matures.

As these athletes return to their respective dojos, the focus will likely shift toward refining their defenses and expanding their repertoire of throws. The gap between a national podium finish and an international one is found in the smallest details of grip fighting and timing.

The next confirmed checkpoint for these young stars will be the upcoming regional qualifiers, where they will look to build on the momentum generated in Veroli. We will be tracking their progress as they move toward the national championships.

Do you think youth tournaments should emphasize the repechage system more to build resilience in athletes? Let us know in the comments below.