The 19-year-old from Pavia won silver and bronze in Budapest: “I have to grow in physical form and in tactical management”
From Budapest a Federico Burdisso returns to Italy with new certainties and the awareness of being able to beat the Hungarian aces at least in the 200 butterfly, the specialty that is most congenial to him. The European swimming championships at the Dumas Arena enriched the showcase of the 19 year old champion from Pavia with trophies: silver in the 200 butterfly, behind the almost unattainable Kristof Milak but in front of the other Hungarian Tamas Kenderesi (chronometric results: 1’54 ”28 for Federico; 1’51 “10 for Milak; 1’54” 43 for Kenderesi). Bronze with the 4×100 mixed relay behind Great Britain (gold) and Russia (silver): the blue quartet including, in addition to Burdisso, Thomas Ceccon, Nicolò Martinenghi and in the fourth fraction Alessandro Miressi was the protagonist of an exciting race, closed in 3 ‘ 29 “93 (against 3’28” 59 of the British team and 3’29 “50 of the Russian team).
No medal, but still a significant fifth place for the young man who grew up in Aics Pavia, now registered with the Army and Aurelia Nuoto, in the 100 butterfly, won by the usual Milak in front of the Bulgarian Miladinov and the English Guy, setting a new personal record of 51 “39.
“I am satisfied – comments Burdisso, who will be in Pavia over the weekend to allow himself a few days of rest with his family after the hardships of the continental event – the balance of the Europeans is certainly positive”.
Upcoming engagements?
«The“ 7 Colli ”tournament at the end of June. Then it will be a question of completing preparations for the Olympics. My debut should be around July 26th ».
Will you do 100, 200 butterfly and relay in Tokyo?
“I really think so. The orientation is that ».
Aren’t you afraid of an excessive expenditure of energy?
“Frankly, no. I’m used to close engagements. In Budapest I made the final of the 100 on the same day and not long after that of the relay ».
Is the Hungarian Milak really unbeatable? At Dumas Arena it felt like it was from another planet.
«This year he is setting incredible times, the results and the chronometric results speak for him. But the season is still long ».
In what aspects do you still need to improve? And do you feel you can do it?
«The conviction of being able to do better is certainly there. I have to grow in general physical shape and in the tactical management of the match, even if I have to say that progress has been made ».
What does your coach Simone Palombi say?
“That’s okay. But also that we must continue to work ».
How was the Covid situation in Budapest?
“We used to swab practically every day. Compulsory mask. The blue team was lodged on Margaret Island in the middle of the Danube, but in any case you could not go out and go around the city ».
Last question, even thinking about your fans: does the shaved head look last?
“Yes, even just for good luck.”