Elisa Molinarolo, a 30-year-old pole vault champion, is the winner of the Cangrande d’Oro 2023, a recognition that the Municipality assigns to the champions of the Veronese sport. Molinarolo, in 2023 in Budapest, was the first Italian athlete to reach the pole vault final in a World Championship. She has a very respectable list of achievements, having also graduated as Italian champion of artistic gymnastics, vaulting specialty, in 2009. Discipline abandoned in 2011 to practice pole vault, demonstrating that in sport with determination, training and sacrifice no outcome is precluded.
This year too, the Cangrande was not only a recognition of individual sporting excellence, but also a tribute to the schools, which have distinctly committed themselves to the various sporting projects, to those who organize events and those who report them in the media. Therefore, not only are victories in different sporting disciplines celebrated, but also the importance of physical activity and community participation through sport. An opportunity to enhance and reward the collective efforts of athletes, coaches and educational institutions that promote sporting spirit and inclusion in the territory.
The mayor, the Councilor for the Third Sector, the Councilor for Social Policies, the President of the 1st Council Commission, the CONI Provincial Delegate Stefano Gnesato, the General Director of the Bentegodi Foundation Stefano Stanzial representing of the Foundation itself, Professor Alberto Nuvolari.
“An award that brings together stories of boys and girls in the city and in the province and not only that – said the mayor – because this year too, names out of category, events and people have been indicated who should be rewarded beyond the categories that are recognized. I was, I believe, among the winners of the first edition, which is why today, as mayor who wanted to maintain the delegation to Sport, I am doubly tied to this recognition. I believe that sport is an important part of our community and today is the time to celebrate in the best possible way those who last year said something special for Verona and our territory. A dutiful thank you to those who make the name of our city resonate far away, nationally and internationally. Thank you so much, because as I often say, because I am convinced of it, sports stories are also stories of considerable human depth, and are therefore very educational for all of us. Thank you for always describing our yellow-blue city with the same enthusiasm.”
“We are deeply honored to receive this prestigious award dedicated to sport – commented Giovanni Rana Jr, Innovation Manager of the Rana Group -. Collaboration with the Rana Verona team is an incredibly rewarding experience, which has allowed us to develop a project that does not stop at just supporting the team, but which promotes healthy eating, at the center of which is also our fresh pasta , and all the values of sport, thanks to which people of different ages, backgrounds and cultures have the opportunity to meet, interact and create affinities. We will passionately continue in this direction, working tirelessly to build a common vision for the future of sport in Verona, so that people can find inspiration, grow and connect through the power of sport.”
All the winners and the motivations
GOLDEN CANGLARGE
Elisa Molinarolo – Pole vault – First Italian athlete finalist in the pole vault at a World Championship
GREAT SPECIALTY
Petar Ciangherotti – Italian under 14 tennis champion
Mattia Tanara – Winter triathlon, Italian and European absolute champion and world under 23
Asia Sgaravato – Bronze medal at the junior cycling world championships
Carlos D’Ambrosio – Swimming 3 Italian titles and European youth relay champion
Elena Government – Senior category world champion in aerial hoop
Nicolò Signorini – Italian judo champion under 15
GRANDE SCHOOL
Istituto Comprensivo 8 Centro Storico Verona – For enthusiastically joining the various sports projects from the student championships to the regional project called “Schools and Sport” involving students both in sporting activities and in traditional games
CANGRANDE SPORTS COACH
Roberto Pimazzoni – Paralympic Karate – coach of Paralympic athletes, who won 3 Italian titles on their first participation.
CANGRANDE SPORTS MANAGER
Raffaello Cordioli – Historical director of Veronese cycling. he has accompanied and directed many teams currently forming the petrucci team
GREAT TEAM
Bentegodi Swimming – Serie A promotion
Asd Rafting Team Verona – Victory of the 2023 world championship for the mixed team, 3rd place for the men’s team, 5th place for the women’s team
SPORTS JOURNALIST
Marzio Perbellini – Professional journalist since 2011, editor in the sports sector, since 2015 he has followed the Veronese volleyball team in Serie A
SOCIAL CRAZY IN SPORT
Asd Nippon Club – Creation of the paralympic karate section – with the parakarate activity it makes inclusion possible through sport
CANGRANDE SPONSOR
Pastificio Rana – For the constant commitment to promoting Veronese volleyball
CANGRANDE SPORTS CAREER
Alberto Limatore – Bike trial: 14 times world champion, 1 world cup, 7 Guinness world records.
SPECIAL MENTIONS
Long Ball and Cycling Broadcast – For the 500 episodes of the format
FIPAV – For the Volley in Arena event
Armando Zambaldo – After a career as an Olympic athlete, he is one of the few senators (i.e. who participated in all editions) of the Marcialonga
Giovanni Bertossi – Participation in Paris-Brest-Paris 2023 and numerous cross-country skiing endurance races (Marcialonga)
