Italian Judo Wrestling Karate and Martial Arts Federation

It was a golden and silver Sunday last November 24th for the Venetian athletes, on multiple fronts.

The now well-established Venetian Kata team conquered the top step of the podium at the Italian Team Championship for Regions, a competition organized by the ASD Kodokan Libertas Verona of the Masters Flavio and Marco Poccobelli. The Venetian representative fielded a formation made up of ten couples, eight from the Senior class (distributed in the five competition Kata) and two from the Junior Under 18 class, in the expected three competition Kata. Three gold medals were won in the Senior class by the couples Andrea Fregnan – Pietro Corcioni (KATAME NO KATA), Enrico Tommasi – Yuri Ferretti (KIME NO KATA) and Matteo Martini – Vladislav Bragoi (KODOKAN GOSHINJUTSU). Third place for the couple Sofia Gliemmo – Gabriele Ortini; fourth places for Giulia Poccobelli – Francesca Benatti (both couples with NAGE NO KATA) and for the sisters Carlotta – Camilla Franzina (JU NO KATA). Seventh place in the rankings for the duo Federico Francescon – Giuseppe Fantauzzi (KODOKAN GOSHIN JUTSU). In the Under 18 class, fourth place for the couple Filippo Talamini – Giacomo Villa (NAGE NO KATA) and seventh place for Alice Albiero – Francesca Poli (KATAME NO KATA). This concludes a 2024 full of satisfactions for the regional kata team which obtained several medals at the national and international level; applause to the whole team for the results obtained both by the Team of Federal Teachers who follow it (Daniele Mainenti, Diego Tommasi, Andrea Faccioli and Nicola Grandi) and by the President of the Judo Sector Giuseppe Casellato on behalf of the Regional Committee. “The snapshot of the team at the recently concluded Italian Championship fully represents the situation in which Veneto finds itself today” comments Maestro Mainenti, head of the team “At senior level we have couples who compete well at national and international level and who cover all five competition Kata, looking ahead, we always need to include new couples to grow, also benefiting from the experience of the already “trained” couples for the category. In this age group we have an extreme need for new elements; we are also working with the Committee to increase interest even among the youngest, to develop the Veneto movement more and more”

Sunday was a day full of emotions also in Ostia, where the Finals of the A1 Italian Cup took place: silver medal for Eleonora Ghetti (Judo Mestre 2001) in the +78 kg category. Eleonoroa brilliantly overcomes her first two opponents, thus reaching the final against Team Iacovazzi athlete Alessia Giordano, to whom she must give way. “I’m happy with this competition” is Eleonora’s comment “even if it wasn’t perfect, but it helped me to retreat after a period in which I couldn’t recognize myself. I’m satisfied with having shown the judo that I know how to do and I thank all those who have been by my side, supporting me and putting up with me; thanks to my teachers Manuela and Michele, my teammates and my family, who always support me judo which I know I can do.” Even her coaches can be considered satisfied “Eleonora defeated her opponents for Ippon in the first two matches” is the comment of the teacher Manuela “thus she reaches the final where she attacks generously, narrowly missing two wazari, but thus winning a heavy and precious silver medal. Excellent race for her, which made us enthusiastic about her high technical and tactical level!” Congratulations therefore to the athlete of Judo Mestre 2001, who for several years now has accustomed us to rejoice for the excellent results at the National finals. Unfortunately, the Arashi Judo Cassola athlete Alessia Smaniotto remains at the foot of the podium in the -70 kg category.

Last but not least, the silver medal also arrived in Greece (Europen Cup Cadets 2024 Thessalonica), where the cadet Carlotta Schiavon (AMG Murano), now implacable, surpassed the first two opponents in the Over70 category and was stopped only in the final by the Russian athlete. “The first match with the Georgian was a bit challenging and I initially panicked, but then I overcame the difficult moment by placing a wazari. The second match with the Bosnian I passed easily with two wazari and the final with the I lost in Russia due to a lever. I would have really liked to be able to finally win the gold medal, but I am still very happy with this result. I thank Mattia (editor’s note: instructor at AMG Murano) who followed me and my teachers who followed me. support from home. Thanks also to my teammates who always cheer for me and to my parents who allow me to do what I’m passionate about.” Mattia Ferro’s comment, returning from the trip, was concise but significant: “Carlotta is getting used to us too well!” And we hope it continues like this!