Napoli is hosting the European Under-23 Judo Championships at the PalaVesuvio arena in the Ponticelli district. The tournament runs through three intense days of competition, featuring fourteen individual weight classes and a concluding mixed team event.
Italian athletes face mixed fortunes on the second day
The second day of competition at PalaVesuvio brought both near-misses and early exits for the host nation’s squad. Following four Italian medals secured on Friday, Cristiano Mincinesi of the Fiamme Oro sports group narrowly missed the podium in the 90 kg division, finishing in fifth place. Sofia Kubler of Accademia Prato claimed seventh in the 78 kg category. Meanwhile, Manuel Parlati, also representing Fiamme Oro in the 81 kg bracket, exited the tournament early following a heavily contested opening loss to Norway’s Brekke-Jenssen.
Federation leaders eye senior championships and Grand Slam events
Gianni Morsiani, president of the Italian judo federation, stated that the organization has proven it can both win and host major events, adding that raising the bar remains a priority for the federation. European Judo Union President Laszlo Tòth praised the joint support from municipal and federation organizers in Napoli, noting that the city possesses the capability to host even larger fixtures such as a senior European Championship. Federation officials are also weighing the feasibility of bringing a Grand Slam event to Italy.
Mixed team competition closes the weekend schedule
Action concludes with the Mixed Team tournament, a format that combines male and female athletes into a single national squad. Admission to the PalaVesuvio venue is free for the public across all days of competition, with real-time results broadcast on the JudoTV digital platform, as noted in institutional announcements ahead of the event.
