Italy swims in the medals. At the Aquatics Center in Tokyo, the second day of competition confirms the supremacy of the Azzurri, who arrived in Japan as world champion team in London 2019. After the five medals on Wednesday 25 August, another six podiums for the team of coach Riccardo Vernole: two golds, three silvers and a bronze that now place Italy in fifth place in the medal table. Triumphal march in the water and for the fans the magical nights of the Games are back.
Bocciardo bis and Raimondi
Francesco Bocciardo, in the 100 style category S5, repeats the gold won in the 200. In that race, he dominated, in the 100 he unleashed an exciting comeback recovering more than a second in the 50 meters return: it was not easy after yesterday’s efforts . And even the Paralympic champion recognizes a second anthology pool: «My coach, Puce, motivated me by saying to push in the last 20 meters just while the others would have given up. To win I had to exploit all my characteristics: to be able to make a good pass and close very strong on the final 50. It is the medal of the heart and I can only thank and dedicate it to my coach Luca Puce, to my city Genoa and to my family ».
Loading…
The second gold of the day by Stefano Raimondi in the 100 breaststroke SB9. He had finished fourth yesterday, he could not just swallow that bitterness and in the tub he devoured everyone: «I had to redeem myself from disappointment and I have yet to realize it, if I think about it I get goosebumps. Behind this medal there is a lot: years of sacrifices on my part, my family, my former coach Giancarlo, all those who helped me and my girlfriend Giulia Terzi. I hope that you too can enjoy and experience these emotions and return home together satisfied and full of happiness ».
The strength of the mixed relay
On the day also shine the three silvers won by Luigi Beggiato in the 100 S4 style, by Carlotta Gilli in the 100 backstroke S13 after the gold won yesterday in the 100 butterfly, and in the 4x50m freestyle mixed team relay with Giulia Terzi, Arjola Trimi, Luigi Beggiato and Antonio Fantin, to demonstrate how Italy has so many individualities that it can also establish itself as a team.
The Italian booty is completed with the bronze of Monica Boggioni, who in the 100m S5 style repeats the third place already conquered in the 200m S5 style. And Italy surfs on the wave of medals.