Seven medals — two gold, one silver and four bronze — is what Sardinia’s judokas brought home from the Trofeo Italia Cadetti e Juniores in Policoro, Basilicata, a haul that included a pair of perfect, all-ippon runs through the boys’ heavy divisions, sardegnaierioggidomani.com reported, with unionesarda.it carrying the same results.
The two-day tournament, organized by the FIJLKAM — the Italian Judo, Wrestling, Karate and Martial Arts Federation under the CONI umbrella — drew more than 1,000 athletes and officials from clubs across Italy. Sardinia sent a delegation of 29 cadets (Under 18) and 17 juniors (Under 21).
Two golds, both by ippon, in the cadet boys’ divisions
The richest return came from the Under 18 boys. In the 50 kg class, which had 27 entrants, Massimo Macciocu of Guido Sieni of Sassari took gold, beating five opponents, four of them by ippon. Luca Melis of Jigorokano of Isili finished seventh in the same division.
The 60 kg class, with more than 100 competitors, produced the second gold: Francesco Carta of Ichnos of Cagliari won all six of his matches by ippon. Giorgio Garau, also of Guido Sieni, added bronze in the same weight class with five victories, four by ippon. Gabriele Denurra, a third Guido Sieni athlete, took bronze at 46 kg with four wins, two by ippon.
Two more Sardinian cadets placed without medaling: Gianluca Spanu of GS Judo of Terralba finished fifth at 73 kg, and Alessio Loi of the same club seventh in the over-90 kg division.
Three medals from the juniors, including a silver decided only in the final
The Under 21 juniors contributed the other three medals. Federico Lai of C.S. Olbia won silver at 55 kg, dispatching three opponents by ippon before losing the final. On the women’s side, Arianna Perra of Ceracchini of Cagliari took bronze at 52 kg, winning two of her four matches by ippon, and Monica Spanu of GS Judo of Terralba earned the other bronze. Aurora Fanti of Full Time of Quartu Sant’Elena finished fourth at 44 kg.
Guido Sieni leads the club standings
In the team classifications, Guido Sieni of Sassari placed second in the men’s standings and third overall — a reflection of the club’s three medals at the tournament.
Claudio Camba, president of the FIJLKAM Sardegna judo sector, said the seven medals, alongside the other placings, confirm the value of Sardinian judo and the daily work of the island’s clubs, coaches and athletes, adding that the results show Sardinian judokas can compete as front-runners on national stages. He also praised every Sardinian participant, saying each competition is an opportunity to grow, and described the results as the fruit of commitment, sacrifice and passion.
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