Alice Bellandi secured the Olympic gold medal in the 78 kg judo category at the Paris Games, completing a career triple crown that includes World and European championship titles within a single Olympic cycle, according to reports in Gazzetta dello Sport.
Confronting the Post-Olympic Void in Brescia
The 27-year-old athlete from Brescia reflected on the psychological toll of achieving her career pinnacle during an appearance at the Festival dello Sport in Trento’s Piazza del Duomo on Oct. 2. Having captured gold at the Paris Olympics, World Championships in Budapest, and European Championships, Bellandi described feeling an unexpected sense of emptiness after the Games concluded.
“As a child I dreamed of winning the Olympics, and once you achieve the result you feel lost, empty. You ask yourself: what will I do? Now how do I fill my days?”
Rebuilding After Tokyo Through Coaching and Therapy
Bellandi’s historic run followed a difficult period after the Tokyo Olympics, where she failed to win a medal and lacked physical and mental stability. Acknowledging that she had no support structures left, she completely overhauled her preparation by changing her weight category, nutritionist, psychologist, and coaching staff.
Antonio Ciano took over as her coach following the Tokyo Games, a transition Bellandi described as the turning point of her career. Alongside working with sports psychologist Laura Pasqua—initially focusing on personal well-being rather than judo performance—Bellandi worked through her vulnerabilities before returning to competition for the Paris Games and subsequently skipping pre-World Championship events to manage her readiness.
Personal Grounding and Future Decisions
Beyond her competitive regimen, Bellandi credited her partner, Jasmine Martin, with helping her establish mutual respect and address personal challenges. “The first thing you need to love each other is respect,” Bellandi told the Trento audience. “Only when you put your ‘monsters’ in order can you love someone else.”
Looking ahead past her sweep of major titles, Bellandi confirmed she will not compete at the upcoming World Championships, describing the absence as a deliberate, personal choice. She offered a forecast that the Italian judo team would secure three medals at the event, potentially including gold.
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What major titles has Alice Bellandi won?
Bellandi secured gold medals at the Olympic Games in Paris, the World Championships in Budapest, and the European Championships, completing a triple crown within a single Olympic cycle. -
Where did Bellandi discuss her post-Olympic experiences?
She spoke about her career and psychological recovery during a talk titled “Vinco sempre io” at the ninth edition of the Festival dello Sport in Trento’s Piazza del Duomo on Oct. 2. -
Who are the key figures Bellandi credited for her recovery?
Bellandi highlighted her coach Antonio Ciano, sports psychologist Laura Pasqua, and her partner Jasmine Martin as vital influences in her turnaround following the Tokyo Olympics.
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