Michela Battiston, 23 years old from Malisana di Torviscosa
Mara already had the qualification in her pocket in the sword, but the young girl from Torviscosa is the surprise in the saber. And his country is celebrating
UDINE. Now it’s official: Mara Navarria and Michela Battiston will be part of the blue fencing expedition to the Tokyo Olympics. For the swordsman Mara Navarria, 35, from Carlino, it will be the Olympics of maturity, the second of her career: she will fly to Japan with the aim of taking home a medal, both individually and in teams.
For the saber Michela Battiston, 23, from Malisana, the call-up was not at all obvious: she only won a place in the team last year and on Monday, when she received the official email from the Federation, she burst into tears.
For the first time in Olympic history, Italy fencing will be present in a five-circle review in all 12 competitions, six individual and as many in teams (from 24 July to 1 August). The goal of the Azzurri expedition is to keep faith with a tradition of great blazon, which makes fencing the sport that has given more Olympic medals to Italy (125) of which 49 gold.
NAVARRIA. For Mara the convocation was only a formality, but no less expected. “I have been working for this appointment for years and I can’t wait to be able to express all my maturity on the platform. When I received the Federation email, I thought “here, what you expected has arrived. Now we have it ”. It was an expected call, which I had already internalized ”.
Mara Navarria, 35 years old from Carlino (Photo Bizzi)
Mara will be on the platform in Tokyo as the sixth athlete in the international ranking, the best among the Italians. Fresh from the victory with the Army at the Italian team championships, the Friulian will fly to Japan with the aim of winning a medal.
The blue sword with Mara Navarria
“At the team championships I shot well and got on the platform at the end, in a role that usually does not belong to me, but it was an opportunity to feel even more pressure. I dominated and so the goal was achieved ”. Mara will compete on July 24 individually and on July 27 in teams. Together with her, Rosella Fiamingo and Federica Isola will get on the platform, with Alberta Santuccio reserves.
BATTISTON. Seeing her name written in black and white among the 24 Azzurri who will go to the Olympics had a certain effect on her. “When I opened the email, I thought about the path I took to get here and tears of joy and tension came out: I made a dream come true. I immediately sent a message to my family and then to my former teachers Sara Vicenzin and Christian Rascioni, thanks to whom I am here ”.
The Italian saber team with Michela Battiston
In absolute terms, Michela won the individual silver (which dispelled any doubts – if there were any – about her call-up) and the team gold with the Air Force team, of which she has been a member since 2017. “We were waiting for this convocation, but seeing it on paper is a little bit special, for the work done together- says her former teacher Sara Vicenzin, who raised her together with Christian Rascioni at Gemina Scherma San Giorgio di Nogaro- We waited together for this moment, why not it was taken for granted. We held tight together, they texted us from afar, we exchanged technical advice. Knowing that she is happy and feeling strong is a great relief for us. It is a reason for happiness and pride “.
From 2020 Michela trains in Foggia; Vicenzin a Rascioni moved to the USA (Rascioni contributed to the qualification of the 2016 Olympic vice champion in the Daryl Homer saber and will be in Tokyo with him). In Japan Michela will compete on July 26 individually; 28 for teams (as a reserve).