Aurora Dell’Aquila captured a gold medal for A.S.D. Judo Valle Maira at the Trofeo “Coppa Città di Asti” on Sunday, October 11, leading a nine-athlete delegation onto the tatami at the Palabrumar facility in Asti.

Gold and Silver Podiums in Asti

Competing in the Esordienti B 44 kg division, Dell’Aquila claimed first place by winning both of her matches. Club coaches noted that despite the victory, the young judoka possesses room to grow by sharpening her competitive intensity and determination during bouts.

Maria Matei Turcanu added a silver medal in the Cadetti 70 kg category. After dropping a tight opening match on points at the end of golden score time, Turcanu rebounded with an ippon victory in her second bout. Staff members indicated she held the potential to claim the division’s top spot with slightly more aggression.

Bronze Finishes and Placement Matches

In the Cadetti 57 kg class, Luisa Belliardo secured a bronze medal. Operating through a difficult physical day, she persevered to win her first two matches, recovered from a third-round setback in the repechage final, and earned a place on the podium.

Martina Luciano finished fifth in the Cadetti 52 kg division following two early wins followed by losses in the third round and the bronze medal match. In the Cadetti 66 kg bracket, Francesco Giammario secured two ippon victories despite a lack of early sharpness, before losses in the third and fourth rounds halted his progress. Clubmate Achille Bonito suffered a first-round exit in the same 66 kg category without reaching the repechage rounds.

Mat Returns for Esordienti Competitors

Diego Allione dropped his opening Esordienti B 55 kg contest after an uncharacteristic lack of focus allowed his opponent to execute a decisive technique, eliminating him from further competition. Matteo Mandrile returned to competition in the same 55 kg weight class following a recent back injury, winning his first two matches by ippon before falling in the third round and dropping a repechage match against a Swiss opponent.

In the Esordienti A 46 kg category, Giulio Garino returned to the tatami following the summer break with two losses stemming from early technical errors.

Coaching Staff Assessment of Season Start

Following the tournament, the A.S.D. Judo Valle Maira coaching staff evaluated the team’s opening outing of the season. “I ragazzi possono fare decisamente meglio di quanto mostrato oggi ad Asti. Le qualità tecniche non mancano: adesso si tratta solo di trovare continuità e la giusta grinta per affrontare al meglio l’intera stagione. Siamo fiduciosi che le prossime competizioni ripagheranno il grande lavoro che questi atleti stanno svolgendo ogni giorno in palestra,” the staff stated.