Sofia Bianchini stepped to the line in Puglia as an archer, but it was her quiet intervention off the field that earned her the Fair Play award at the 11th Trofeo Coni.
Fair Play Honor Crowns Emilia Romagna’s Silver Campaign
The 14-year-old from Crevalcore, competing for the Arcieri di Re Bertoldo, claimed the Fair Play award at the multi-sport youth competition held from Oct. 4 to Oct. 7 in Castellaneta. The event gathered more than 4,500 under-14 athletes representing regional teams across the Taranto province.
Driven largely by Bianchini’s sportsmanship on and off the tournament fields, the Emilia Romagna regional delegation secured the Fair Play honor for the second year. That accolade accompanied a strong second-place overall finish for the regional team in the standings.
Daily Support for a Deaf Teammate On and Off the Field
Bianchini earned the individual recognition by assisting a deaf teammate, Annamaria, throughout the four-day event. The assistance covered every phase of the competition from departure to the closing ceremony.
Without relying on formal Italian Sign Language (LIS) training, Bianchini managed the logistics of the trip. Her daily support spanned guiding guests through the venue, managing resort accommodation routines, and organizing free time.
From Judo and Skating to the Righi Scientific High School
Before taking up archery in 2024 through the influence of friends, Bianchini spent four years in artistic skating and three years in judo. Outside of sport, she attends the Righi scientific high school in Bologna, where her studies include the Chinese language due to an interest in Eastern idioms.
Coaches and Regional Leaders Reflect on the Delegation’s Character
Lorenzo Bortolomasi, an accompanying coach for the squad, noted that Bianchini approaches her involvement with discretion rather than seeking the spotlight. Bortolomasi stated that her natural willingness to help created a positive example for other athletes in the delegation.
Andrea Dondi, regional president of Coni, praised the dedication of the participating youth over the four-day schedule in Puglia.
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