CADETS CONTRIBUTING TO CAPITAL OF SPORT BID IN NAPLES
As the older athletes compete in Sofia, Bulgaria this weekend, we see the cadets en route to Naples, Italy for the inaugural Cadet European Cup. This is not only the first cadet event of the year, but also the first time that the metropolis in the Campania region has hosted such an event. Italian athletes, particularly those from the region, can boast and hope to follow in the footsteps of Naples-born superstar and 2000 Olympic champion Giuseppe “Pino” MADDALONI.
Of course, this isn’t Italy’s first show to host the annual Junior European Cup in Lignano (March 4-5) and the European Open in Rome (March 11-12). For the cadets and juniors, the events are also followed by invaluable training camps. Also note that Pordenone will again host the kata tournament with judoka present. Due to Covid-19, the 2021 event has been moved online. Pordenone has also been home to kata championships at European and world levels.
During a press conference at the Palazzo San Giacomo, portraiture Emanuela FERRANTE explained:
The European Cup strengthens the path for Naples’ candidacy to be European Capital of Sport 2026. It is a major event that is part of a larger project aimed at the social inclusion and redemption of young people in the region through sport. Judo teaches respect for oneself and others through the values inherent in sport and martial arts in particular, and can help regain the right dimension in a society where primary values often take a back seat.
So who will we see on stage in Italy this weekend?
393 athletes from 23 countries and four continents are registered, a huge turnout. This figure includes the world number one from France in the +70 kg category, Celia CANCAN. The youngster will no doubt be inspired after the recent Paris Grand Slam and will bring her determination and experience to the tatami. Already last year Cancan won a world and a European cadet medal but missed the gold, maybe she is ready to win the title in Coimbra (European Championships) or Zagreb (World Championships).
For the hosts, Italy have three men in the top ten in the world rankings; Lucio TAVOLETTA (-73kg), who has several cup results from 2022, Alessandro Bruno D’URBANO (-81kg) and Antonio ESPOSITO (-60kg). The Italian team has a mass registration of 165 athletes, with the second highest registration of 53 coming from France.
Both days are scheduled to start at 09:00 but this is subject to change so don’t miss tonight’s live draw at 19:00 local time where the action time will be confirmed and of course the duel will be announced.
Author: Thea Cowen
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