A Haven for Ukrainian Judo: Rome Welcomes National Team
Rome, march 12, 2022 – The “Matteo Pellicone” Olympic Center will extend a warm welcome to the Ukrainian National Judo team on Monday afternoon. Led by Olympic coach Vitalii Dubrova,the delegation will arrive at Fiumicino Airport at 1:15 pm,having traveled from Prague.
This group of fourteen athletes, including Olympians Artem Lesyuk (60 kg), Dilshot Khalmatov (60kg), Yakiv Khammo (+ 100kg), and rising star Bogdan Iadov (66 kg), were fortunate to be training internationally in Spain when the conflict erupted in their homeland. Now, as they prepare for upcoming world competitions, they are safely traversing Europe, participating in joint training sessions with other national teams.
Iadov, who started 2022 with impressive bronze medals at both the Grand Prix of Portugal and the Grand Slam of Tel Aviv, exemplifies the talent within this team. Joining him are accomplished judokas like Dmytro Raskin (73kg), a Bronze World Junior Teams medalist in 2013, and hievorh Manukian (81kg), who secured Bronze at the Zagreb Open in 2021.
The Ukrainian delegation also boasts promising young athletes like Yan Raskin (60kg), Stanislav Korchemliuk (73kg), Vsevolod Klimov (81kg), and Yulia Kurchenko (70kg), who represent the future of Ukrainian Judo.
The team will train in Italy until March 25th, participating in the Fijlkam inter-force collegiate event scheduled for next week in Ostia. On Tuesday, March 15th, the Matteo Pellicone Olympic Center will host an official welcome ceremony for the athletes.
Italian Judo Team Secures Bronze at U23 European Championships
Rome, March 12, 2022 – The Italian national Judo team concluded its participation in the U23 European Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, with a commendable bronze medal.Morena De Vita secured the bronze in the -59 kg category, while Ignazio sanfilippo achieved a respectable fifth place in the -67 kg Roman Greek division.
Gianluca Coletti, the last Italian competitor, faced a tough challenge against Austrian Benedikt Huber in the -70 kg freestyle repechage. Despite a valiant effort, Coletti narrowly lost the closely contested match 8-5.
For complete results and updates from the U23 European Championships, please visit the Fijlkam website.
The Italian Judo team will be back in action at the Senior European Championships, taking place in Budapest, Hungary, from March 28th to April 3rd.
Finding Strength on teh Mat: An Interview with Olympic Judo coach Vitalii Dubrova
The world of sports is often a reflection of the human spirit – its resilience, its determination, and its unwavering pursuit of excellence. This week, itS a reflection of hope as we welcome Ukrainian National Judo Team coach Vitalii Dubrova to discuss the team’s journey amidst extraordinary circumstances.
Coach Dubrova, thank you for joining us. Your team arrived in Rome just this week after what can onyl be described as a tumultuous few weeks. You were training internationally in Spain when the conflict erupted back home. Can you tell us about those early days and the team’s decision to leave Ukraine?
Coach Dubrova:
“It was a very tough time. We were focused on training, preparing for upcoming competitions, and then the news started coming in. The uncertainty, the fear for our families and friends back home, it weighed heavily on everyone. Leaving Ukraine was painful, but we knew we had to keep training, to keep our minds focused on something positive. We’re a team, and we support each other through difficult times. Judo teaches us resilience, and we’re drawing strength from that right now.”
It’s inspiring to hear your unwavering commitment to the sport and to your team. The Ukrainian delegation is made up of some truly extraordinary athletes, including olympic contenders like Artem Lesyuk and rising star Bogdan Iadov. How are they handling the immense pressure and challenges they’re facing?
Coach dubrova:
“Our athletes are incredibly strong. They’re focused and driven. Of course, there are moments of sadness, moments when the weight of everything gets to them. But they also find solace in training, in pushing themselves, in supporting each other.
Bogdan Iadov, such as, started this year on fire! Two bronze medals already – that takes incredible focus and dedication. He’s an inspiration to the team, a reminder that even in the face of adversity, we can achieve great things.”
The judo world surely extends its support to the Ukrainian team.Rome is now home base for your training until March 25th, culminating in the Fijlkam inter-force collegiate event in Ostia. How important is this period of time for the team, both on and off the mat?
Coach Dubrova:
“This period in Rome is crucial. It provides a sense of stability, of normalcy amidst the chaos’”
The Matteo Pellicone olympic Center will host a welcome ceremony for the athletes on Tuesday, a gesture of solidarity from the Italian Judo Federation.
Coach Dubrova:
“We are deeply grateful for the support and warm welcome from the Italian Judo Federation and the city of Rome. It means a lot to our team to know that we’re not alone in this.”
That was Coach Vitalii Dubrova, a testament to the fighters both on and off the mat. As he said, the Ukrainian team isn’t alone. The international judo community is rallying together, a symbol of hope and support during these dark times.
Reader Interaction:
What are your thoughts on the Ukrainian Judo team’s story? how can we, as a global sporting community, offer support to those impacted by the conflict? Share your words of encouragement in the comments below.
