Italy Excels with One Gold and Two Fifth Places

The second day of the prestigious Grand Slam in Astana has brought joy to Italy, with an exceptional performance that culminated in a gold medal and two fifth-place finishes.

Giorgia Stanghelin’s Impressive Win in 70 kg Category

Leading the Italian triumph was Giorgia Stanghelin (CS Carabinieri) in the 70 kg category. She executed an impeccable performance from start to finish, defeating opponents from Korea, Lebanon, and Brazil to secure a spot in the final. Her remarkable victory came against Romanian Serafima Moscalu in the semifinals, ultimately facing off against Chinese Yingying Feng in the final. Stanghelin’s superiority was evident as she pinned Feng early in the match, earning a well-deserved gold medal.

Martina Esposito’s Valiant Effort in the 70 kg Category

Another impressive performance in the 70 kg category came from Martina Esposito (CS Carabinieri). Her journey included victories over competitors from Kazakhstan, France, and Germany. Despite reaching the final, she was unable to overcome the Chinese phenom Feng, who went on to face Stanghelin in the gold medal match. In the bronze medal bout, Esposito came close to securing a podium finish but fell short in the final moments, finishing fifth.

Manuel Parlati and Bright Maddaloni Nosa in -81 kg Category

In the -81 kg category, Manuel Parlati (Fiamme Oro) and Bright Maddaloni Nosa (Fiamme Oro) made their marks. Parlati started strong, overcoming opponents from Mongolia and Brazil, but Unfortunately, he was unable to secure a medal after being bested by Japanese legend Takanori Nagase. Despite the setback, Parlati managed to secure fifth place by defeating Kazakhstani competitor Zhalgas Kairolla. Maddaloni Nosa also put up a good fight, defeating opponents from Benin and Kazakhstan before facing tough competition in the quarterfinals and bronze playoff rounds.

Leonardo Valeriani and Fabrizio Esposito in -73 kg Category

In the -73 kg category, Leonardo Valeriani (Fiamme Gialle) made it to the third round with victories over Kazakhstani and French opponents but was ultimately stopped by Mongolian competitor Ankhzaya Lavjargal. His teammate Fabrizio Esposito (Fiamme Azzurre) also had a notable debut, winning against Israeli opponent Baruch Shmailov before being eliminated by Uzbek Asadbek Norbutaev.

Lelia Ciano’s Performance in the 63 kg Category

Unfortunately, Lelia Ciano‘s campaign in the 63 kg category came to an end in the first round, as she was eliminated by Mongolian Enkhriilen Lkhagvatogoo.

Key Takeaways and What’s Next

The Italian judo team’s performance at the Grand Slam in Astana has set the stage for promising prospects in upcoming competitions. With Giorgia Stanghelin’s impressive gold medal win and two strong fifth-place finishes, the team has showcased their potential and determination. As the sport continues to evolve, fans eagerly anticipate the team’s next appearances on the global stage.