Amici 26 breaks new ground by officially opening its doors to combat sports, welcoming 22-year-old boxer Gabriele Guidi Rontani and 20-year-old judoka India Serafini into Maria De Filippi’s talent school on Canale 5. The introduction of boxing and judo marks the first time competitive athletes have entered the cast, a programming shift sparked by the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and designed to spotlight disciplines that demand immense physical and mental sacrifice outside the traditional arts.
Why Maria De Filippi Brought Combat Sports to Canale 5
The decision to integrate athletic disciplines into a primarily entertainment-based talent show stems directly from global athletic showcases, as reported across multiple television and entertainment coverages. Speaking on set, host Maria De Filippi explained the reasoning behind the unprecedented casting choice to the athletes and viewers.
The reason why you are here is because I watched the Olympics, as I think many of us watched them,
De Filippi stated on air, addressing the new competitors. I saw many important sports where there is little visibility, but perhaps behind a lot of effort and a lot of sacrifice, maybe there isn’t a big turnover of money, and perhaps that is why they are seen little. And so we had thought, me and all the people who work with me, to let people know what is behind that jersey.
Rather than focusing solely on artistic performance, the production aims to showcase the grueling training schedules, strict regimens, and personal endurance required in disciplines that rarely capture mainstream daily headlines.
Gabriele Guidi Rontani and the Realities of Elite Boxing
Tuscan native Gabriele Guidi Rontani enters the school as the first boxing competitor in the history of the program, holding an assigned bench from the premiere broadcast. At 22 years old, Guidi Rontani has trained in the sport since he was eight years old and currently competes as part of the Italian Army sports group.
In his introductory broadcast clips, Guidi Rontani detailed the stark contrast between his daily life and that of typical young adults. The sacrifices are many, quite a few renunciations, sleeping early, not going out in the evening,
he explained. I’ve been doing this for 14 years because it makes me happy and to build a better future for myself.
Guidi Rontani shares his life in Tuscany with his father and siblings, alongside his girlfriend Sara, whom he met at a local gym. Sara described him as a kind soul who consistently prioritizes others. During the premiere episode, Giovanni De Carolis, technical director of the Italian national boxing team, formally delivered the program jersey to the young athlete. De Carolis expressed strong enthusiasm for the sport’s inclusion, noting that boxing imparts essential life values, including deep respect for coaches and opponents alike.
India Serafini, Olympic Inspiration, and the Healing Power of Judo
Joining the cast alongside the boxing representative is 20-year-old judoka India Serafini, a native of Pomezia. Serafini began practicing martial arts at age nine, inspired by her father. Her athletic path was profoundly impacted by personal tragedy following her father’s passing shortly after she competed in the Italian championships.
It was an extremely strong pain, judo saved me in that period because I had a goal, I wanted to reach the World Championships,
Serafini recounted. She carries a photograph of her father as a personal talisman and receives ongoing support from her mother.
Serafini balances her athletic ambitions—chiefly qualifying for the Judo World Championships—with rigorous academic coursework aimed at a future career in medicine. Emphasizing a grounded mindset, she noted that martial arts provided a framework for resilience: Judo taught me that every time you fall, you must get back up; there is always a way to start over.
Adding a direct link to the recent international stage, Alice Bellandi, who won a gold medal in judo at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, made a special appearance to present Serafini with her official school jersey.
Competition Format and Standing in the Talent School
Both Guidi Rontani and Serafini entered the initial phase of the program with confirmed desks, but their positions remain subject to ongoing evaluation. Production outlines indicate that both athletes will face external challengers throughout the season, requiring them to defend their places in the school against incoming hopefuls. Their primary objective, as outlined by the broadcast team, is to retain their training slots as long as possible while exposing television audiences to the rigorous technical demands of amateur boxing and Olympic judo.
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