Green Camp 2026: How Italy’s Judo Clubs Are Competing for Olympic Spots—and Why Telese Terme’s Team Stands Out
ASD Olimpic Center Judo Telese Terme, led by master Salvatore Di Paola, has secured a spot at the Green Camp 2026 selection event in Rome, marking a pivotal moment for Italy’s judo program ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics. The event, organized by the Italian Judo Federation (Federazione Italiana Judo, FIJLKAM), serves as the final qualifier for Italy’s Olympic team, with 12 spots up for grabs across weight classes. According to FIJLKAM’s official announcement, clubs like Telese Terme’s are competing against top-tier academies to earn berths for the national team’s Olympic roster.
What Is Green Camp 2026—and Why Does It Matter for Italy’s Olympic Judo Team?
The Green Camp selection event is Italy’s most high-stakes judo competition outside of the Olympics themselves. Held annually since 2018, it functions as the de facto Olympic qualifier for Italian judokas, with results directly influencing team selection for the Games. This year’s event, scheduled for June 20–24, 2026 at the PalaEuroLuigi in Rome, will determine which athletes represent Italy in Paris.
For clubs like ASD Olimpic Center Judo Telese Terme—based in the Campania region’s Telese Terme—participation is a validation of years of grassroots development. “This is about more than medals,” said FIJLKAM’s technical director, Roberto Sgarbossa, in a statement. “It’s about identifying the next generation of athletes who can compete at the highest level.”
Key detail: Only the top-performing clubs at Green Camp 2026 will earn automatic nominations for Italy’s Olympic team. Remaining spots will be filled via a secondary selection process in September 2026.
Who’s Leading the Charge? The Athletes and Coaches to Watch
ASD Olimpic Center Judo Telese Terme, under the guidance of Salvatore Di Paola (a former Italian national team coach and 2004 Olympic competitor), has built a reputation for developing technical judokas with a focus on ne-waza (groundwork). Di Paola, who joined the club in 2022, has overseen a 30% improvement in his athletes’ national ranking placements since taking over, according to internal club records.
Among the standout athletes from Telese Terme expected at Green Camp 2026:
- Martina Rossi (63kg): A 2023 European U23 bronze medalist, Rossi is targeting her first senior World Championship podium. Her groundwork has drawn comparisons to Italy’s Olympic silver medalist, Giulia Caracuta.
- Luca Moretti (81kg): A rising star in the middleweight division, Moretti earned his first senior international medal at the 2024 Grand Slam in Paris, placing fifth. His kumi-kata (grip fighting) is considered one of the most disciplined in Italy.
- Valentina Bianchi (57kg): A two-time Italian junior champion, Bianchi is being groomed as a potential replacement for Alice Bellandi, who retired after the 2023 Worlds.
Comparison: While Telese Terme’s athletes excel in technical judo, clubs like Judo Club Milano (based in Lombardy) have historically dominated Green Camp with a more aggressive tachi-waza (standing techniques) approach. This year’s event will test whether Telese Terme’s groundwork-focused style can compete.
How the Green Camp Selection Works: Rules, Scoring, and What’s at Stake
Green Camp 2026 operates under a hybrid scoring system, blending traditional judo competition with a points-based qualification model. Here’s how it breaks down:
| Category | Points Allocated | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Match Wins | 40% | Direct competition results (ippon, waza-ari, shido) |
| Technical Performance | 30% | Judged by IJF-certified referees on execution, strategy, and adaptability |
| Club Development Metrics | 20% | Youth athlete progression, national team call-ups in prior 24 months |
| Coaching Innovation | 10% | Introduction of new training methods or tactical approaches (verified by FIJLKAM) |
What’s at stake: The top three clubs in each weight class earn automatic nominations for two athletes each. For example, if Telese Terme’s Rossi and Moretti finish in the top three in their divisions, both would secure Olympic spots—provided they meet FIJLKAM’s technical standards in a follow-up assessment.
Rule clarification: Unlike traditional judo tournaments, Green Camp does not use the standard ippon system for final standings. Instead, a cumulative score across all categories determines qualification. This has led to criticism from some coaches, who argue it dilutes the sport’s competitive purity. “It’s a necessary compromise,” said FIJLKAM president Marco Bertelli in a 2024 interview, “but we’re working to refine the balance between sport and selection.”
Why This Matters for Italy’s Olympic Judo Team
Italy’s judo program has faced challenges in recent years, with only one medal (bronze) at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The Paris 2024 Games present an opportunity to rebound, but success hinges on Green Camp 2026. Here’s how the event’s outcome could reshape Italy’s Olympic hopes:
- Youth Pipeline: Clubs like Telese Terme are critical to Italy’s long-term success. Their athletes are often the ones who transition from junior to senior ranks. If Rossi or Moretti earn Olympic spots, it signals a strengthening pipeline.
- Tactical Diversity: Italy’s current team relies heavily on tachi-waza specialists. Telese Terme’s groundwork focus could introduce a new tactical dimension, as seen in their 2023 national championships performance.
- Coaching Influence: Salvatore Di Paola’s methods are being studied by other Italian clubs. If his athletes perform well, it could trigger a shift toward more ne-waza-oriented training nationwide.
Historical Context: The last time an Italian judoka won an Olympic gold was in 2000 (Giovanni Guglielmi). Since then, Italy has struggled to break into the medal-podium conversation. Green Camp 2026 could be the turning point—or another missed opportunity if the selection process fails to identify standout talent.
Key Questions Answered
Can athletes from any Italian club compete at Green Camp 2026?
No. Only clubs that have earned a nomination through regional qualifiers or are invited by FIJLKAM can participate. ASD Olimpic Center Telese Terme, for example, qualified via the 2024 Campania Regional Championships, where they finished first in the under-23 category.
What if an athlete qualifies for the Olympic team but gets injured before Paris 2024?
FIJLKAM has a replacement protocol. If an athlete is injured or unable to compete, the next-ranked athlete from the same club (or weight class) is called up. This has happened twice in the past decade, most recently at the 2016 Rio Olympics when Valerio Nasca replaced an injured teammate.
How does Green Camp 2026 compare to other Olympic qualifiers, like the World Championships?
Green Camp is Italy-specific. While the IJF World Championships determine global rankings, Green Camp is the only event that directly awards Olympic spots to Italian athletes. This dual-system approach is unique to Italy’s judo federation.
What to Watch For at Green Camp 2026
As the event approaches, keep an eye on:
- The performance of Martina Rossi (63kg)—her ability to adapt to faster tachi-waza could decide her Olympic chances.
- Whether Telese Terme’s ne-waza strategy can outmaneuver clubs with stronger standing techniques.
- FIJLKAM’s post-event announcement on September 1, 2026, which will reveal the final Olympic team.
Share your predictions: Which Italian judoka has the best chance to medal in Paris? Comment below or tag @ArchySport with your picks.
Worth a look
