Asia Pergolesi: One step away from gold in the Karate Youth League
Over the last weekend, the city of La Coruna hosted the Spanish stage of the Youth League, the prestigious world youth circuit organized by the World Karate Federation. This event saw the participation of 3300 athletes from 73 different nations, who competed in different categories, from U14 to U21.
Among these athletes, Asia Pergolesi from Umbria, a member of the Fiamme Gialle, stood out and competed in the U21 +68kg category. Although she was included in a group of high-level opponents, she Asia demonstrated impeccable race conduct, led by the coach of the Guardia di Finanza, Massimiliano Ferrarini.
Asia began its journey with a 1-0 victory against Scotland’s Ewing, fourth in the world, re-winning the bronze final lost the previous year in La Coruna. Subsequently, she defeated Ireland’s Clare 5-0 in the round of 16. In the quarterfinals, she drew 1-1 against German Lucke, first in the world, but won thanks to the senshu rule (first point scored), easily controlling the match.
In the semi-final, she beat Croatian Ravlic, former fourth in the -68kg category, 2-0. It seemed that Asia was conducting a perfect match, without making any mistakes and with authoritative control of the tatami.
Even in the final, against Dutch Van Wezel (European bronze medalist), it seemed that Asia was replicating her performance of the day. With 20 seconds left, the athlete from Perugia led the match 1-0. However, an ill-timed attack allowed the Dutch to draw 1-1. Although she still had the lead thanks to the senshu, Asia left the tatami with 2 seconds left, thus losing the lead.
The match ended 1-1 and we moved on to the flags, where the referee’s judgment rewarded the Dutch athlete. Despite the disappointment of a gold that seemed to have already been won, Asia’s performance was of the highest level, as commented by Rossano Rubicondi, who continues to follow Asia at the Collepepe headquarters.
Thanks to this result, Asia Pergolesi climbs to third place in the U21 world rankings, with the knowledge that she can reach the top step, given that in first and second place are the German and the Scottish girl who she just beat in Spain.
