Massimiliano Luiu from Sassari, silver at the Under 20 World Cup, talks about his passion for athletics and dance
SASSARI. «A bit of sea in Alghero and Stintino but from tomorrow I will resume training with the sports club Libertas, the club where I was born and raised in sports. I can’t wait to see my coach Crescenzio Carboni again. I finally start flying again ». From the height of his magnificent 19 years, Massimiliano Luiu from Sassari, a great talent of Italian athletics, fresh from the silver medal at the Under 20 World Championships in Nairobi in the high jump, talks about his magical summer 2021. “A few holidays and many workouts, but that’s okay, I’m very happy. The summer that is ending has been full of surprises. First the Tokyo Games with gold for Tamberi and Quarshim, my idols, two athletic monsters, then my silver at the World Championships in Nairobi, Kenya. A silver, who expected it after the disappointment at the Europeans? ».
In July, at the European Championships, she was out of the final for a few centimeters, a month after at the World Cup a flight of 2 meters and 17 centimeters, a personal best achieved on the first attempt, gave her the silver. Well done.
«The Europeans were a blow, what a disappointment. Already from the run-up I realized that this was not the right day, I was unable to go beyond 2.13. In Nairobi, however, everything was perfect: five successful jumps starting at 2 meters to continue with 2.06 and 2.10, then 2.14 and 2.17. In Kenya the run-up was perfect. I had a great desire to redeem myself, this medal was a beautiful, unexpected gift. Who inspired me? Gimbo Tamberi’s final, with the medal shared with Mutaz Barshim, was one of the most exciting moments of the Olympics. They were the ones who gave me the charge ».
With whom did you build this incredible success?
«With Crescenzio Carboni, my coach. It is thanks to him that I now have this beautiful silver medal in my bedroom. We are separated for many years, it is true, he is 80 and I am 19, but we understand each other immediately. He is a great trainer. It is thanks to his insistence that I approached this sport. I was 7 when I went to the Pini stadium for the first time, to follow my brothers who were doing athletics. First I tried the middle distance then Crescenzio told me “let’s try with the high jump” and here I am, this medal belongs to both of us ».
Will anything change in preparation after World Cup silver?
«I will continue to train in Sassari, and always with Crescenzio, 6 days a week. Runs, jumps, runs and lots of free body exercises, without weights. I’ve never set foot in a gym in my life. Maybe I’ll start soon, I’d like to gain some muscle. “
Just 80 kilos for 1.95 meters tall. Sacrifices at the table?
«No sacrifice, I eat everything. My gluttony is pizza, especially the one prepared by me, they are very good ».
Easy for someone who is about to graduate from the hospitality industry, cooking specialization.
“It’s my other great passion, after athletics of course.”
How do you see the future?
«With your head down and working because sport requires sacrifice and commitment. What I have done so far must be archived because it is only the starting point. And it takes a lot of effort to improve every day. My dream is to join a sports group and keep jumping ».
In three years there is the Paris Olympics.
«I will do my best to get there, it still takes three years, I have plenty of time to improve. It would be nice to be part of the Sardinian patrol at the Games, in Tokyo my teammates were fantastic, from Patta to Tortu to Kaddari to Oppo. Very good ».
With the silver won in Nairobi, he is the first from Sassari to win a medal at the Under 20 World Athletics Championships, do they recognize it on the street?
“I’m not that famous, but my closest friends gave me a wonderful party when I returned to Sassari.”
Besides jumping she is a very good Latin American dancer.
«Before devoting myself to athletics I also did competitions, I was very young. Now I dance with my mom, in cha cha cha and bachata nobody beats us. And I love reggaeton music, it gives me the right rhythm to jump higher and higher ».