Belgian judoka Gabriella Willems has found both peace and purpose in Italy, where she has built a life alongside European Champion Christian Parlati. A bronze medallist at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Willems now calls Naples home, embracing its culture, traditions, and the demanding yet warm judo environment. Ten years after meeting Parlati at the European U23 Championships in Tel Aviv, the couple is preparing to marry in early 2026.
“It’s not just the sunshine and the food,” Willems said. “What I really love about Naples is the warmth of the people and the family spirit. For judo, it’s a demanding environment but also very human and caring.”
Despite Naples’ reputation as a traditional, male-dominated stronghold of judo, Willems says she felt part of the family from the very beginning. With female champions like Assunta Scutto leading the way, women’s judo in the city is growing rapidly.
Of course, life in Naples also means football. “Champions League nights are sacred,” Willems laughed. “Training is postponed but never cancelled. Forza Napoli sempre!” Their joint admiration for Diego Maradona captures the city’s spirit. “He is more than a footballer here. He represents revenge, pride and identity. Thanks to him, Naples exists in the eyes of the whole world.”
Olympic Bronze and Personal Peace
Winning bronze at the Paris Olympics was a turning point. “It was a huge relief, especially psychologically,” Willems explained. “Not just for me but also for my loved ones who went through everything with me. Life didn’t change radically, but inside, I gained enormous peace.”
That medal came after a long road back from repeated injuries. To young athletes struggling with setbacks, Willems offers simple advice: “Listen to your body and respect the pain. Train intelligently and surround yourself with people you trust.”
Her own resilience came from her support network. “I was lucky to have Christian and my loved ones by my side. These trials build character, even if you don’t choose them. They force you to grow.”
Her comeback began at the 2024 World Championships in Abu Dhabi, where she earned enough points to qualify for Paris. “Honestly, I had no expectations. I was just happy to enjoy every moment after everything I had been through. That light-heartedness freed me.”
On the Olympic mat in July, she felt unusually calm. “I woke up relaxed and confident, with a clear plan in my head, whatever happened.”
Short Term Outlook
Now 28, Willems isn’t looking too far ahead. “I prefer to take it season by season, championship by championship. You never know what might happen.” Her next stop will be the Grand Prix in Guadalajara, Mexico, a special occasion as her sister Louise, who now lives in Mexico, will be there to support her.
Italy feels like home for Willems, not only through her relationship but also her roots. Her great-grandfather left Italy to work in Belgium’s coal mines before bringing over his family. “I never learned Italian from my grandmother but her character and way of being gave me a natural attraction to Italy,” she explained.
Balancing Two Careers and One Life
The Paris Olympics also brought mixed emotions. While Willems celebrated her bronze, Parlati missed out on the podium. “It’s like an injury,” Willems reflected. “Sometimes you have to let time do its work. We share joys as much as possible and lighten disappointments. Life isn’t always fair, but we do our best.”
The couple has learned to use their relationship as a source of strength, both in sport and life. “Having someone you trust who brings a different perspective helps you progress on the tatami and outside it. His project became mine, and mine became his. We found balance by separating judo time from our private life.”
That resilience paid off for Parlati, who went on to win the European title in Podgorica in April 2025. For Willems, the dream is clear: “I want to keep improving, focusing on my training and lifestyle but my dream would be to share a double medal with Christian at a major championship.”
Author: Hans Van Essen