An important podium for Michael Balzana at the Trophy Giano dell'Umbria 2016
With the conquest of the bronze medal at the last stage of the Grand Prix, held in Terni Saturday, March 12, the light weight of Spello gets to 9th place in the national ranking and conquers a place for the Italian Absolutes finals of Italy that will be held June 2016 in Parma. After easily winning the first three fights, all won by ippon, in the fourth round he gives up against the No. 2 of the ranking - failing to handle the aggressivity of the strong Ligurian Mancioppi - that beats him for sum of passivities: but in the recoveries Balzana beats without too many pleasantries three high-level athletes getting a bronze that shows the state of grace of the young judoka of Famà brothers Club.
Back in the competitions after a long break, Massimo Mancini, who eliminates three judokas thanks to a standing throwing technique of rare power. In the semi-final he lost against Matteo Celesti (great athlete who left the Judo Kodokan Spello to train together with the Blue Flames in Rome) getting to the 5th place. Black day for the rest of the team: Giacomo Gramaccioni, Alessandro Binucci, Patryk Stojecki, Luca Giulietti and Benedetta Baroni all out in the first round and without appeal. In the cadets competition, however, three medals won by the young promises of the Team followed by Filippo Battistoni and Cristiano Damiani: silver for Gloria Giacomucci, bronze for Klevis Zeneli and Carlo Kallchista. Good fifth place achieved by the youngest of the group, Matteo Murasecco, who - first year in the cadet class - already highlighted his skills in several fights held in these first two months of 2016.
