The concluding chapter of the Alice Bellandi Golden Tour unfolded between 14-15 December, wrapping up a remarkable journey that spanned Italy, connecting thousands of judo enthusiasts. Alice, the celebrated judoka, shared her heartfelt reflections on these last two events, offering a glimpse into the profound impact this tour has had on both herself and the judo community.
Napoli, December 14: A Unique Experience
It was different compared to the other five locations of the Alice Bellandi Golden Tour. During the first part of the event, with the kids, the judo level was already incredibly high! Napoli, along with the other places where I was hosted, such as the Nippon Club Napoli, has produced many important judoka, so the level was truly impressive.
However, with this tour, my goal is to leave a meaningful message for the kids, and I believe I succeeded in giving them something valuable this time as well. There were so many people waiting for me there and the atmosphere was amazing. Neapolitans truly know how to make people feel welcome in their city!
Brescia, December 15: The Final Dance
Sunday was the last dance of this amazing Tour of 2024! For me, this final event was truly special. I met all the people with whom I grew up in the region of Lombardia. I have no words to describe the emotions this event stirred in me!
Of course, it’s been tiring but also incredibly satisfying. Covering the distance between Napoli and Brescia in just 24 hours, with 750 and then more than 1,000 athletes on the tatami, is quite exhausting. But seeing the eyes of the kids and their parents makes all the effort and strength required to achieve this goal worthwhile. Being almost everywhere, from North to South, in just a couple of weeks has been an incredible journey.
The Alice Bellandi Golden Tour has been nothing short of a monumental success, bringing together thousands of judoka and judo fans across five weeks. The overwhelming response, even exceeding the capacity of some arenas, highlighted the incredible enthusiasm within the Italian judo community. Many clubs were unable to attend due to space limitations but this only underscores the need for more ambitious plans in the future. Board member of the Italian Judo Federation, Andrea REGIS, reflected on the tour’s impact:
We need to do this for our clubs. Italy has so many champions, and young athletes need to be inspired by them. Plans are already being discussed to create an even bigger and better tour in 2025, ensuring that more judoka have the opportunity to participate.
The Alice Bellandi Golden Tour has proven that judo is much more than a sport, it’s a community, a source of inspiration and a path to resilience. Through her tireless efforts, Alice has left an indelible mark on thousands of people across all ages, encouraging them to train hard and persevere, even when the journey becomes challenging. As Alice herself said;
I hope all the athletes I have seen in the last months will have something more to continue to fight and train hard, even when times get tough.
Thank you, Alice!
Images: FIJLKAM
Author: Szandra Szogedi