Uphill start for Judo Kodokan Cesena, Riccardo Santoro among the athletes chosen for the Emilia Romagna representative. Last Saturday, the twelfth “Memorial Rosone”, a team competition of the regional representatives, was held in Rome, at the Polisportiva Castelverde. For this event the regional competitive manager Michael Zoffoli has called together the athletes who ranked among the highest in the racking list. Riccardo Santoro, an athlete from Cesena from the Kodokan team, also managed to qualify for this event. Selected for the Kg.81 Juniores/seniors category, Riccardo defended the colors of the regional representative Do Uisp with style and tenacity.
At the end of a demanding day, the Emilia Romagna representative, coordinated by the Kodokan instructor from Cesena Michael Zoffoli, qualified in second place, with Riccardo in great form who was able to lead an excellent fight (Randori) against an extremely strong. The team only surrendered to the hosts due to one more lost fight, which left them 3-2 behind the Roman athletes.
At the end of the day, despite the tiredness and the desire to bring the coveted trophy home, the spirit of judo emerged where respect and friendship created greater unity between the athletes of the various teams. On Sunday morning Michael and Riccardo participated in the training held by the National Competitive Commission.
The boys from Cesena took home not only this enriching experience but also new ideas to implement at Kodokan. Next appointment for the masters Vladimiro Burioli, Francesco Di Leonforte and the instructor Michael Zoffoli on the occasion of the National Technicians’ Internship in Rome.
