The timeless Aldo Montano, a descendant of the famous saber dynasty, on his fifth participation in the Games. The stubbornness of Irene Vecchi, chasing the first podium already close to in London and Rio de Janeiro. And then there are the rookies: the foil players Alice Volpi and Martina Batini, as well as the swordsman Gabriele Cimini. Lin Tuscany it sharpens its precious blades in view of Tokyo 2021 by delivering five athletes to the list of 24 who will be part of the blue expedition engaged from 24 July to 1 August: the confirmation of the excellence of a school capable of renewing itself over time and which has given 79 medals out of the 125 won by Italy in the 100-year history of the Olympic event.
At 42, the Livorno-born Aldo Montano collects his bet and after defeating Covid guaranteed a place as captain in the saber team, the last chapter of a long-lived and extraordinary career, lived with the medal around his neck (11 European podiums, 12 world championships, 4 Olympic) and destined to remain an example for future generations. The women’s saber with 31-year-old Irene Vecchi (individual quarter-finals in London and protagonist of the epic enterprise of leading Italy to the first team participation at the Rio Games) also speaks Livorno, which she now dreams of repeating on the platform of Tokyo, the world exploit of Leipzig 2017 There is great expectation for the women’s foil because the Dream Team sees the Olympics again thanks to the four-year alternation and promises to be spectacular with the 29-year-old from Siena Alice Volpi (individual gold medal in Wuxi 2018) and with the Pisan Martina Batini, born in 1989, silver champion in Kazan 2014, returned to the best lunges after the break imposed by maternity.
It will also be the first five-circle experience for the 26-year-old from Pisa Gabriele Cimini, who grew up under the guidance of maestro Antonio Di Ciolo, and called up as a reserve in the sword team. The goal is to forget Rio, when Tuscan fencing, for the first time since 1908, returned empty-handed from the Olympics. Also this time our movement stands out in value and numbers – says Salvadore Sanzo, from Pisa, former foil player with four Olympic podiums, today national councilor Coni – Volpi and Batini are playing for the individual medal and for teams guaranteeing great reliability and experience. Montano’s class will be useful as well as Cimini’s freshness. The hope that Irene Vecchi will overcome those fears that have sometimes reduced a high level potential.
June 9, 2021 | 21:06
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