BELLUNO
Formula 1 enthusiast, Ferrari fan and Charles Leclerc as an idol. Then don’t be surprised if Thomas Serafini runs so fast on the athletics track. On the other hand, the double triumph of the weekend for the Italian Juniors in the 3000 meters and in his “his” 1500 meters, after a distance of about fifteen hours, testifies to this. If the Italian athletics has discovered a young star, we will find out later. But this boy from Belluno, born and registered with the Firex Belluno, is progressing visibly and in view of the time trial, not letting himself be slowed down even by the maturity he recently left behind.
Now – to be precise, the first week of August – he will go to the World Cup in Colombia.
Thomas, a nice busy time.
“In fact, I gladly stopped by the sea for a day down near Rieti. Just to pull the plug a bit, because in a very short time I will start preparing for Colombia again ».
You made a great impression in Rieti. Above all, the Sunday triumph in the 1500s was unexpected.
«I had nothing to lose, having already been in my pocket for a few weeks the world minimum. Both in the 1500s on Sunday and in the 3000 on Saturdays the last laps marked the difference, in which I held up well. With the experience lived over the years I have understood how a good finish is worth much more than a good overall seal. Regarding this, the preparation had been regulated in the last few weeks. In particular, we looked for good progression in the last 300, 400 meters. It paid off, having closed both races under one minute on the last lap ».
Always in a hurry, right?
«I started practicing athletics already in elementary school. Then it was a continuous crescendo. The turning point, however, I believe, is represented by the victory in Ancona of the indoors in the 1500s, in 2020. Although just after the lockdown due to Covid followed, I believe it gave me the right impetus ».
In all this, there is always the same coach to support you.
«Exactly: Roberto Celato. He has built me over time and I owe a lot to him for what concerns the path taken so far. Every year I arrive at the highlight of the season in ideal form ».
These are now your de measurements.
«Initially I was particularly close to 3000 meters. After that, the passage of time allows you to build your run and perfect those distances you are most suited to. The 1500s give great stimuli, while maybe the 3000 turns out to be a more tactical competition, with many slow laps. Here, I must say that having started running 800 meters allowed me to make a further step of growth and the double final of the race testifies to this. At the end of the season I also always compete in the 5000, in conjunction with the training changes in anticipation of the winter period ».
Now you are preparing to travel to Colombia.
«The goal is to maintain the condition, even if the most important part of the work was carried out between spring and summer. I know the environment of an international competition, having competed a year ago in Tallin in Estonia, where the European Championships were held. I am expecting an open race and here too the final stages will be decisive ».
Where do you train, as the Polisportivo track in Belluno is being renovated?
“To Mel. Indeed, a big thank you goes to the La Piave company. They provide us with a brand new facility, it is ideal. I am also happy that a completely redone track will soon be available in Belluno ».
84 at the final exams …
«The written and oral concomitance with the Feltre race where I obtained the minimum of 1500 necessary to fly to Colombia. A great commitment. But I believe school and sport can go hand in hand. I think the priority aspect is to focus only on one thing at a time ».
Now the university choice has to be made.
«It is useless to deny that it is also an evaluation linked to the sporting aspect. I’d like to study biomedical engineering in Padua, but let’s see. For sure, I am entering the moment in which even the path of an athlete is approaching the leap between the greats ».
But in the imagination that you have little free time left, what can you do?
«I have a passion for Formula 1. I really follow a lot. The typhus? Since he has been with Ferrari, the idol has been Leclerc. We both always go in a hurry … ».
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