Friuli-Venezia Giulia Claims Four Podiums at Trofeo Italia Master in Leinì
The Friuli-Venezia Giulia region delivered a strong performance at the second national trial of the 2026 Trofeo Italia Master in Leinì, securing four podium finishes across various weight classes. The event showcased a high level of veteran competition, with athletes from across Italy vying for placement in the national circuit.
Leading the charge for the region were Giuseppe Infantino and Massimo De Luca, both of whom earned silver medals in their respective divisions.
Silver Medal Performances
In the -100 kg M8 category, Giuseppe Infantino of DLF Udine fought his way to the final. Infantino secured his silver medal after a victory over Massimo Fiori of Teiko, though he ultimately fell to Armando Vettori of Yama Arashi Savona.
Massimo De Luca, representing Società Ginnastica Triestina, mirrored that success in the -73 kg M4 division. De Luca claimed silver after defeating Marco Verani of Talenti. However, his path to the top spot was blocked by Omar Pezzetta of KDK Judo BG, who took the victory in their encounter.
The -73 kg M4 category has seen consistent high-level competition. For context, Omar Pezzotta (listed as Pezzetta in the Leinì reports) has a history of dominance in this weight class. In May 2025, Pezzotta secured gold at the 2nd Gran Prix Veterans in Bologna, where he defeated Roberto Orlando in the final after a semifinal win over Luigi Sirica via ippon.
Bronze Medal Successes
The region added two bronze medals to its tally, further cementing a successful outing in Leinì.
Lillo Montalto Monella of DLF Udine competed in the -81 kg M3 category. Montalto Monella earned his bronze medal following a win over Valentino Taimazzo of Saisei, despite a loss to Simone Gori of KDK Empoli.
In the -66 kg M4 division, Davide Bronzin, also representing DLF Udine, secured a bronze medal. Bronzin’s road to the podium included victories over Michelangelo Lanza of Domodossola and Fabrizio Floris of Jigoro Kano, though he was defeated by Luca Bruno Matteo Minuto of Akiyama.
For those unfamiliar with the format, the Trofeo Italia Master is a circuit designed for veteran judokas, allowing experienced athletes to continue competing at a national level across various age (M) and weight brackets.
Results Summary: Friuli-Venezia Giulia
| Athlete | Weight/Category | Club | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Giuseppe Infantino | -100 kg M8 | DLF Udine | Silver |
| Massimo De Luca | -73 kg M4 | Società Ginnastica Triestina | Silver |
| Lillo Montalto Monella | -81 kg M3 | DLF Udine | Bronze |
| Davide Bronzin | -66 kg M4 | DLF Udine | Bronze |
The momentum from Leinì will carry forward into the next phase of the competition. The circuit is scheduled to continue on Sunday, July 5, with the third trial of the Trofeo Italia Master taking place in Eboli.
Stay tuned for more updates on the national veteran circuit. Do you have a favorite judoka to watch this season? Let us know in the comments.
