Manuel Lombardo, shaded gold at the Judo World Cup for a move that was too risky

DOHA – The first Italian gold medal in the history of men’s judo vanishes. He came very close Manuel Lombardobut in the final of the 73 kg category at the Doha championships he lost to the Swiss Nils Stump. Not due to the opponent’s superiority, but due to a too risky tactic by the blue which triggered the third penalty in the Golden Score, the judo extra time.

Lombardo, the 24-year-old from Piedmont, former number 1 in the 66 kg category in which he was European champion and 2021 world vice-champion, attacked and almost managed to land the Swiss, who avoided defeat for nothing (just one point in the extra time to award victory). But the Var used by the jury highlighted a dangerous move for the safety of Lombardo himself, who during the action against Stump found himself with his head as a pivot on the tatami, with possible damage to the cervical that the judo regulation absolutely wants to avoid sanctioning athletes who risk moves that are too dangerous.

However, the satisfaction of a silver medal remains after the two bronzes of the twenty-one year old from Naples Assumed Scutto in the 48-kilo category and the 28-year-old from Rome Odette Giuffrida in the 48 kg. Lombardo arrived in the final by beating the Azeri in the semifinal Hidayet Heydarovwhile the other blue John EspositoEuropean vice-champion, went out in the second round against the Tajik Behruzi Khojazoda.