26 gold, 21 silver and 16 bronze, for a total of 63 overall medals, allowed Italy to win the European Open Paralympic Swimming Championships in Madeira, Portugal, vastly surpassing the Ukrainian and Dutch teams. This is a new extraordinary success for the national team of technical director Riccardo Vernole and his staff.
04/27/2024
ITALY IS EUROPEAN CHAMPION 2024!
26 gold, 21 silver and 16 bronze. With 63 medals overall, Italy wins the recently concluded European Paralympic Swimming Open in Madeira, Portugal. Comprehensively surpassing the teams of Ukraine and Holland. This is a historic success for the national team of technical director Riccardo Vernole and his staff.
Medal report.
Final rounds at the Complexo de Penteada in Funchal, where Italy gets off to a great start in the final of the 100m backstroke S10. Double for the Italians Stefano Raimondi (GS FF.OO/Aly Sport) and Riccardo Menciotti (CC Aniene), silver (1’00”70) and bronze (1’01”39) medals respectively. The gold goes to the Dutch Van De Voorrt (58″24) “I tried until the end – states the vice European champion on RaiSport – in the first 50 I still had something to give, I managed to set a decent time which is worth a silver”. “It wasn’t a race that fully satisfied me – says Menciotti – both in terms of time and in the performance itself. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth, I’ll have to work hard in these months.”
Giulia Terzi (GS Fiamme Oro /Polha Varese) gets the bronze medal in the direct final of the 100m freestyle S7.
in 1’20”52 just two months after giving birth. The highest podium goes to the Ukrainian Korzhova (1’16”29) and the silver to the Spanish Orti Campos (1’19”67). “I didn’t think I’d return from this European Championship with a medal. Willpower and dedication go far beyond talent.”
Federico Bicelli (GS Fiamme Azzurre /Polisportiva Bresciana) took bronze in his favorite race, the 100m freestyle S7. “I’m very satisfied, I knew it would be a very tight race, it was really nice and I’m happy”. Gold and world record for the Ukrainian Trusov (59”62), silver medal for the Turkish Yamaran (59”88).
First medal of this European Championship for Luigi Beggiato in the final of the 200m freestyle S4. “This bronze gives me a lot of confidence for the rest – says Beggiato – the time doesn’t fully satisfy me, the 150 meters flew by, in the last 50 I stopped. This will help me work on it especially in view of Paris. I would like to thank the Fiamme Gialle, the Guardia di Finanza sports club and the director Vernole for believing in me”. The Italian Luigi Beggiato finished the 200 freestyle in 2’03″80, behind the Israeli Dadaon, gold medalist (2’53″22) and the silver of Zhdanov (2’56″75.
World record holder Carlotta Gilli (GS FF.OO/Rari Nantes Torino) also made her mark in the last final, with gold in the 200 medley SM13. Thanks to a time of 2’25”41, the Italian from Moncalieri, in addition to swimming, brings her fifth individual gold to the Italian team. “I’m very happy, today’s race wasn’t a given at all, in the 12th race of this championship the tiredness is starting to make itself felt. So I’m very satisfied. I would like to thank my family who is here to support me, my staff, my friends, the Gruppo Sportivo Fiamme Oro and Rari Nantes Torino.” The silver went to Toshpulatova (2’31”55), the bronze went to the Irishman Ni Rian (2’31”60).
In the same race her teammate, Alessia Berra, SM12 sports class, (GS Fiamme Azzurre /Polha Varese) also swims, finishing in fifth place (2’38”47). “When strength dies, throw your heart into it – says Berra – I really put my all into it and I’m satisfied with this European Championship”.
“I’m very satisfied, it was a fight until the end with my opponent, it was wonderful to end this European Championship like this. Tomorrow relax and then get to work in view of the event of the year: Paris. I would like to thank everyone who allowed us these great results. A great team working together.” These are the words of the European champion Monica Boggioni, member of the GS Fiamme Oro and the Pavia swimming club.
the Italian also hits this direct final of the 100 freestyle S5 and with a time of 1’20″88 she pockets her fourth individual gold, followed by the Ukrainian Poida (1’21″68) and the Czech Koupilova (1’25 ”83).
Francesco Bocciardo (GS FF.OO/Nuotatori Genovesi) takes bronze in the direct final of the 100m freestyle S5. “I’m very happy because it’s my seasonal staff. I really gave my all and did the race as I would have liked. I thank my coaches Tassara and Rigamonti and all those who support me.” Bocciardo took the third step of the podium with 1’10”79, the Ukrainian Komarov took the gold (1’08”31), and Pulver (NPA) took the silver (1’09”72).
Simone Barlaam (GS FF.OO/Polha Varese) confirms himself as one of the spearheads of coach Vernole’s national team. With a time of 24″41 in the 50m S9 style he brings the most precious metal to the Italian team, the 25th provisional of this European Championship. “Taking into account some pain that has arisen, doing this time in April is more than fine, I’m very satisfied”. Silver was won by Tarasov (25″46) followed by Mozgovoi (25″73) both NPA (Neutral Para Athlete). In the same final Simone Ciulli (GS Fiamme Azzurre / Circolo Canottieri Aniene) also swims in 26″24, stopping at 7th place. “I’m quite satisfied – says Ciulli – I was hoping for two tenths less, but that’s okay, we’re on the last day of this European Championship and it’s never easy to find the right attention”.
Finally, gold for the 4 x100 mixed freestyle relay with 34 points made up of Alessia Scortechini S10, Xenia Palazzo S8, Federico Bicelli S7 and Simone Barlaam S9. Italy finishes in 4’02”95, leaving France (4’08”34) and Spain (4’11”56) behind.
EUROPEAN MEDALS
ITALY 26 gold 21 silver 16 silver
UKRAINE 21 gold 26 silver 21 bronze
HOLLAND 13 gold 8 silver 7 bronze
