The female rising star of our judo is called Assunta Scutto. Born on 17-01-2002 (so she has just turned 20), the Neapolitan judoka of the Guardia di Finanza, a pupil of the maestro Antonio Ciano, grew up in competition Star Judo Club of Scampia. Currently the Neapolitan is our main hope in the 48 kg per category Paris 2024.
The main doubt of every athlete is always represented by the passage from the junior category to the senior category, because the pitfalls are always greater and having to face opponents already consecrated in the highest category can always condition you from a motivational and psychological point of view, especially if the results do not they begin to arrive. But last year Assunta has incredibly forged ahead and won in both categoriesshowing that nothing is precluded.
The incredible 2021 of the blue can be summarized in these numbers: 9 races disputed, culminating with 5 gold and 2 bronze medals. First place at the Zagreb Open (May), the European Cup in Coimbra (July), the Junior World Championships in Olbia (October), the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam (November) and the Absolutes (December). While the two third places were obtained at the European Cup in Bucharest (August) and at the European juniors (September).
Undoubtedly, the two victories to be framed were the Junior World Championships in Olbia and the Grand Slam in Abu Dhabi, one of the most prestigious competitions on the international circuit of this sport. On that occasion Assunta performed an authentic masterpiece, beating athletes of the caliber of the Russian Sabina Giliazova, the Israeli Shira Rishony (number 8 in the world ranking) and the French No. 4 in the world Shirine Boukli, senior European champion in 2020. The bell has thus risen to 16th place in the world ranking after only three appearances on the World Tour.
Inevitable compliments from her coach Ciano, who in addition to her technical qualities and determination, gives her a great improvement from an emotional point of view in the management of meetings, despite being only 20 years old. She always puts herself on the line and never backs down.
Now comes the fun, because the new Olympic qualification period for Paris will begin in June 2022 Scutto will have to contend with some very competitive teammates in 48 kglike Sofia Petitto and Francesca Milani, to obtain the only pass available as a nation-post. This internal competition will be nothing more than an additional stimulus for its exponential growth, as well as the new IJF regulation of which it will have to adapt quickly.
There will be many rivals in the 48 Kg, but Assunta (who has stated in no uncertain terms that she aims to win European and World Championships this year, to start the Olympic path on the right foot) now it is already among those that all the top of the category must keep an eye on.
Maurizio Contino
Photo: IJF
