Sarah Ferraro of Airon Judo claimed the top step of the podium in the -44 kg female category during a competitive weekend of youth martial arts action at the Trofeo Italia Esordienti. Under the guidance of master Corrado Bongiorno, Ferraro delivered a standout performance on the tatami to outpace her competitors and secure the gold medal.
Sarah Ferraro Strikes Gold for Airon Judo
Parallel Venues Launch National Youth Tournament
The opening leg of the national youth tournament brought hundreds of young judoka to parallel venues across Italy, according to the official governing body Federation reports. Competition unfolded across two main sites on opening day. The PalaRescifina in Messina played host to the Esordienti B tournament for southern brackets. Simultaneously, the Palazzetto dello Sport in Borgo Valsugana ran bouts for northern contenders.
Team Iacovazzi Dominates Messina Club Standings
At the Messina venue, the tournament concluded its Esordienti B schedule with individual weight category champions and team standings officially recorded. Team Iacovazzi dominated the club rankings, capturing first place in both the male and female team classifications.
Titania Club and La Popular rounded out the top tier of the male club standings. Titania Club and Union Judo followed Team Iacovazzi in the female club competition.
Southern Gold Medalists Crowned in Messina
Individual gold medals across the female divisions in Messina went to a wide field of rising competitors. Alongside Ferraro’s victory in the -44 kg class, the tournament saw triumphs by Francesca Fiammetta Guzzo in the -36 kg bracket, Giada Antoci in the -40 kg division, and Giulia Maria Durante in the -48 kg category.
Further down the weight ladder, Martina Perchiazzi took the -52 kg crown, Miriam Catalano won the -57 kg class, and Lisa Friguellini secured the -63 kg title. Elisea Ranieri triumphed at -70 kg, while Aurora Dushku claimed the heavyweight +70 kg gold.
On the male side of the Messina draw, gold medals were awarded to Nicola De Bartolo in the -38 kg division and Nicola De Musso in the -42 kg class. Dario Scatà won at -46 kg, and Luca Loiotile took -50 kg.
Additional male champions included Enea Luan Cruz Ferreira at -55 kg, Cristiano Di Rosa at -60 kg, and Alberto Marini at -66 kg. Giorgi Kapanadze won at -73 kg, Gabriel Marra at -81 kg, and Gabriele Achille triumphed in the +81 kg category.
Trentino Venue Hosts Northern Bouts
Meanwhile, northern competitors contested their brackets at Borgo Valsugana in Trentino. Federation results from the Trentino venue confirmed gold medals for Tommaso Macciocu in the -38 kg category, Flavio Carpaneto at -42 kg, and Edoardo Viola at -46 kg.
Edoardo Astori took gold at -50 kg, and Daniel Di Marco won at -55 kg. The remaining Trentino male champions included Andrea Monaco at -60 kg, Luca Attilio Panzone at -66 kg, and Massimiliano Inviati at -73 kg. David Ionut Hogas topped the -81 kg class, and Andrea Santamaria claimed gold in the +81 kg division.
Final Weekend Fixtures Approach
The Trofeo Italia Esordienti weekend concludes with a final day of competition. This closing schedule features the remainder of the Trentino Esordienti B bouts alongside the younger Esordienti A tournament fixtures across both venues.
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