It feels like a long time coming for Alice BELLANDI of Italy who just fell short of an Olympic medal in Tokyo, accepting seventh place in the -70kg category where she knew she didn’t belong. Transitioning to the heavier weight category, she dominated in the 2022 Budapest Grand Slam, competing with her Olympic final opponent, where she took her first gold.
Now, three years later in the Champ de Mars Arena, the Italian national anthem played, and her flag was raised as she was awarded her Olympic title in the -78kg category, a momentous day that was hard fought for, and so well deserved.
Taking out names including Mayra AGUIAR (BRA) was her first point of business, then she was dealt difficult rivalries including Yelyzaveta LYTVYNENKO (UKR) and Patricia SAMPAIO (POR) for her place in the final against Inbar LANIR (ISR).
From the start she was the judoka in charge, controlling the grips and staying ahead of the action. Bellandi was close on a couple of occasions to scoring, but the deciding point was a deep drop seoi nage that Lanir simply couldn’t escape from. Alice Bellandi became Olympic Champion!
Fighting through tears of joy and complete disbelief, Bellandi was overcome by her accomplishments today,
I don’t understand whats happening right now, I thought it could be possible, every day I’ve been training for this and in the end I’m here with the gold medal I don’t believe it. I’ve had so much support, it means everything to me.
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen