“Italy has established itself as an international excellence”

“Even today a great Italy, many blue podiums which confirm the excellent work being done in Italian clubs. Congratulations to all the girls who medaled, to their coaches, thanks in particular to Ilaria Finestrone for obtaining the gold medal which made our anthem echo in the arena”. These are the words of Francesco Bruyerehead coach of the national women’s judo team, after the second day of Rome European Open in Ostia.  “Excellent day for the competing Italian athletes who won two bronzes with Falcone and Bergamelli and three golds with Bedel, Owusu and Pirelli. – is the comment of the blue men’s head coach, Raffaele Parlati – It should be highlighted that Bedel, Pirelli and Owusu fought for the first time in a new weight category and managed to climb to the top step of the podium. I would like to congratulate all the medalists and to remember that even today Italy has established itself as an excellence of judo at an international level”. Never before today had Italy collected so many medals – twenty-two – in a Continental Open.

“What can I say? Averagely high male level“. As Fabio Basile. “Especially in the 90kg, I saw the return of Kenny Bedel, impressive. I am proud for him and he is an example for many athletes, after two operations he returned with an objectively perfect competition. Then I saw a great Genny Pirelli who, after the Olympics which went badly, got back up and returned to fighting quickly and today he demonstrated that he is a true warrior. And the tattoo on his chest is right, it’s a lion. I really liked the 73kg final between Valeriani and Luca Rubeca. Valeriani is in a truly “first” period, of great judo and Luca Rubeca who, once again, proves himself to be one of the strongest 73 kg in Italy. I find it really strange that he isn’t a professional yet, I can’t conceive of this and probably if one day he wins an Olympics he will probably join a sports group. Perfect organization on the part of European Judo, I saw an organization made to perfection. This is what I saw in these two days of competition and good luck for Los Angeles to all the athletes!”.