The Italian national judo team has announced a 17-athlete delegation for the upcoming Grand Prix of Lima, scheduled to take place from August 14 to August 16, 2026, according to reports from Sportface. As part of the ongoing IJF World Judo Tour, the three-day competition in Peru serves as a crucial checkpoint for athletes chasing qualification points for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The Return of World Champion Assunta Scutto in Lima
The standout story of the Italian roster is the return of Assunta Scutto, the reigning world champion in the -48 kg category, who competes for Fiamme Gialle. Scutto has been sidelined from international competition since the second half of April, having paused her schedule following a series of opening-round exits to address physical issues and reset her competitive form, according to Sportface. Her return in Lima marks her first test back on the global circuit as she looks to regain consistency in the international rankings.
The competition in Peru offers significant rewards for athletes on the World Tour. According to Sportface, the Grand Prix will award up to 700 points toward the IJF world ranking, with a maximum of 350 points counting directly toward the Olympic qualification ladder for the 2028 Summer Games.
Complete Italian Squad Breakdown for the Peruvian Grand Prix
The Italian delegation features seven female and ten male competitors across various weight divisions, combining established international names with emerging contenders on the World Tour. FIJLKAM confirmed the roster details ahead of the tournament’s opening day.
The women’s squad features:
- -48 kg: Assunta Scutto (Fiamme Gialle)
- -52 kg: Martina Castagnola
- -57 kg: Veronica Toniolo
- -63 kg: Carlotta Avanzato
- -70 kg: Irene Pedrotti
- -70 kg: Giorgia Stangherlin
- +78 kg: Asya Tavano
The men’s squad features ten athletes, including European champion Gennaro Pirelli:
- -60 kg: Andrea Carlino (Esercito)
- -66 kg: Elios Manzi (Fiamme Gialle)
- -66 kg: Matteo Piras (Esercito)
- -73 kg: Giovanni Esposito (Fiamme Azzurre)
- -81 kg: Antonio Esposito (Fiamme Azzurre)
- -81 kg: Vincenzo Pelligra (Fiamme Azzurre)
- -90 kg: Christian Parlati (Fiamme Oro)
- -90 kg: Kenny Komi Bedel (Fiamme Oro)
- -100 kg: Gennaro Pirelli (Fiamme Oro)
- -100 kg: Daniele Accogli (Fiamme Oro)
What’s Next for the Azzurri on the World Tour
Following the conclusion of the Grand Prix in Lima on August 16, 2026, the Italian team will look ahead to upcoming stops on the IJF calendar as the lengthy qualification cycle for Los Angeles 2028 continues to gather momentum.
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