Il blue judo he won seven medals ai European Under 23 Championships from Pila, Poland, and three speak Turin, thanks to the athletes of Akiyama Settimo, an unrivaled breeding ground for talents. Giulia Ghiglione, who in 2023 had won bronze among the juniors, this time in the 48 kg climbed one step onto the podium in the upper age class. Ligurian from Andora, the young woman moved to Turin with her grandmother Franca, to be able to train in Settimo Torinese with master Pierangelo Toniolo.
On Polish soil she eliminated the Azerbaijani Mirzalyeva, the Polish Wozniak and in the semi-final the Spanish Gomez Antona. In the final, against the Swedish Tara Babulfath, Olympic bronze medalist in Paris 2024, she started very well, putting her opponent in difficulty, who, however, prevailed at the distance.
«The goal obviously was the gold medal – comments Giulia – so this silver leaves a bit of a bad taste in my mouth. Despite this, I am happy with how I handled the meetings. I am convinced that I am on the right path and that this result will be a springboard for next year.”
Federico Ninfo won silver in the 66 kg
Federico Ninfo nei 66 kg he overcame the Estonian Lipard, the Portuguese Lampreia, the Israeli Fiks and in the semi-final the Bulgarian Yotov. In the final derby against the Apulian Giuseppe De Tullio he was ahead for a long time and surrendered to the greater experience of his teammate. «I am happy with this first medal – he explains – and at the same time sorry for not having climbed to the top step.”
Erica Simonetti finished third in the +78 kg
Erica Simonetti, representative of the Army, who has been training in Settimo since she was seven years old, was unable to confirm last season’s title and placed third in the +78 kg. After the defeat in the quarterfinals, she prevailed in recovery over the Dutch Sweers and in the final for the bronze over her compatriot Dijkstra.
