Sport, as we know, is also a school of life and can provide beautiful pages when you least expect it. The success of becoming world champion at the definitely not green age of 49 was achieved by Franco Pellegrini, born in 1975, Roman by birth but from Lodi by “adoption”, who rose to the top of the world in the discipline of martial arts in the Philippines. kaly , a type of fight that takes place using a tightly padded stick or knife. The scene of success was the WSA event held in Luton, England, where more than a hundred athletes from various countries participated, including, in addition to England and Italy, also Ireland, Austria and France. There was obviously great joy among the Italian staff, which also included another Lodi native, Claudio Alfieri, as athletic trainer, also a world-class athlete. But what is the driving force that allows Pellegrini to achieve this goal and what are the factors that allow the Romano-Lodi native to reach the finish line? To understand you have to dig into the character trying to understand the person beyond the athlete. “I was born in Velletri, a town in Castelli Romani, on 18 August 1975 but for the first 17 years I lived in Lariano, also in the Castelli area, known in Lazio for the quality of its bread. I had a peaceful childhood spent between school, boy scouts, friends and sports After graduating from professional schools with the qualification of mechanical turner, the time comes to join the military and I decide to do it as career as a Vfb (short stop volunteer, ed.) in the world, touching Tuscany and Sicily but also in Sarajevo in various missions and courses including training for Sarajevo in ’95 I stayed here for in nine months, I came home and decided to leave the north to look for work around the world. I’m always looking for a gym where I can train, from judo to floor fighting, including muay thai and full contact.”
Until he landed in Lodi. “Exactly. This is where I met Elena, who is a sales assistant in a clothing store, and we got married. In the meantime I found a job in the research field as an employee, our two children were born, Thomas who is now 19 years old . . , and Mattia, who is 13 years old, and I started practicing jeet kune do and Filipino kaly.”
The change in the meeting was with Claudio Alfieri.
“I think so. I told the gym master where I’m going that I’m not interested in belts, or fights or even becoming a master. Then Claudio (Alfieri) came to the gym, then he went his own way and We met again in Covid and convinced me to fight I finally found myself as a master and world champion in a sport that I love.
Pellegrini’s palmares speak of silver and bronze in the Italian championships, silver and bronze in the European Championships and finally gold, silver and bronze in the World Championships, considering that I have only been fighting for two years.
Why did you approach martial arts and what did they teach you?
“I have been practicing martial arts since I was a teenager and I grew up watching Bruce Lee’s films. Some were made by meeting Claudio Alfieri. Why did I choose this sport? For me the motivation is showing that I can do it at my age. Martial arts is a way of life, so I have a strong character from other countries named Dominic Toretto (a character played by film by Vin Diesel, ed.) If it’s because of the similarity or some other method of martial arts I can stop and think before I act.
How did you feel after winning the World Championship?
“Many and all are more beautiful than others. The joy of victory, the satisfaction of the result. The adrenaline is so great that you struggle to understand what you did. The next day you think back to what a great effort that was you put in. But it’s worth it. At least I have something to say to my grandchildren.”
Have dedication?
“To myself, to my family, to everyone who made this victory possible, to Claudio Alfieri, to all the Azzurri staff and to my companions in the adventure.”
What changes, if anything, when you become a world champion?
“In fact, life has not changed much for me. Except for the congratulations of everyone who knows about it, including family, friends and colleagues. They never ask me for autographs when I go out and about.”
What is your secret dream if you have…
“Actually not much. I’ve almost done everything I want. What’s missing is a millionaire win, but I’m working on it. Never say never in life. Jokes aside, I’ve got everything, nice. family, a job, that now many things, I do a sport that I love and it keeps me young and fit and I am a gold medalist.
Albano Colli