The community of Conselve was shaken by tragic news: the sudden death of Massimo Mattioli, a leading figure in Italian judo. Monday morning, the 71-year-old he was struck by a fatal illness in Blood Donors Squarejust as he was preparing to leave the Venetian town to return to Rome. Mattioli, manager of the national judo department, had come to Conselve to participate in a sporting event, a regional gathering which saw the participation of athletes and judo enthusiasts, culminating with the meeting with the Olympic champion Matteo Piras.
Massimo Mattioli was not just a manager, but a true institution in the world of judo. He started practicing this sport way back in 1963, and over the years he had managed to reach the top of the national Federation. His passion and dedication for judo was evident to everyone who met him, and his commitment to promoting the sport among young people was tireless.
The weekend in Conselve was thought of as a moment of celebration and sharing. The Green Fit association of Conselve, in collaboration with the Mikage Dojo of Santa Caterina d’Este and the Venetian regional committee Fijlkam, had organized a special meeting with Matteo Piras. Mattioli had actively participated, rewarding the Olympic champion and assisting in the training of dozens of young athletes. “It was a beautiful day of celebration”, recalled Luca Bissacco, sports councilor, underlining how Mattioli was thrilled to see so many kids passionate about judo.
Monday morning, Mattioli he had just left the B&B “The train of dreams”, where he had stayed overnight, to meet his companion, Livio Boscaro, Green Fit coach. Unfortunately, after having traveled a few tens of metres, he was struck by a sudden illness. The square, usually lively, became the scene of a drama. Passers-by, including some employees of the nearby Epta Nord analysis laboratory, immediately took action to provide assistance, using a defibrillator and performing cardiac massage. Boscaro, trained in first aid, also tried to help, but despite his efforts, Mattioli never recovered.
