Olympic Champion, Alice BELLANDI of Italy, returned to competition on day six of the World Championships, only to take yet another title and in the most incredible fashion.
In her early rounds she was devastating her opponents,
I have changed a lot of things after the Olympic Games, everything but my coach Antonio [Ciano], I changed my physical coach and we made big changes. The first moment I realised I had made some big personal changes was when MA [Zhenzhao (CHN)] scored the yuko against me, before it would have taken me a lot to turn this around but I just told myself I could do it and the I threw her! I have more to do of course, my final was not the standard I want, it was very long and very tough, but for me today was a comeback. I want to feel the mat, see if I still love it, and I do.
I needed that score to realise what I can really do and pass any mental block. I need to believe more in my capabilities that I can throw anyone, whenever I want.
It was very similar to her world final in 2024, against yet another top German athlete, this time the rising star, Anna Monta OLEK,
Fortunately my coach is amazing, he told me before we went out, ‘remember she is not Wagner’ and the reason for this is because with her it was always a mental battle and she was really strong, she managed to beat me a lot in this way. Last year in the final he told me the same. I worked on this a lot for the Olympic Games because this moment could be real again.
What was going through your mind in those final moments of the final when Olek left for medical attention?
God is great. He was just telling me ‘trust in me, trust in me’ and this is what I did. I feel like I almost died on the mat, he said, trust in yourself, trust in me.
After being so exhausted, especially in comparison to Olek, what is it that brought the win for you?
Of course this is something supernatural. My coach was telling me, ‘do not give her this’ and I didn’t want to lose again, not like this, by a tiny amount. I couldn’t go home without knowing I tried everything.
You’re the first current Olympic Champion to take the World title in this event, how does feel?
It was on my mind every day!! Seeing on social media ‘Olympic Champion is out, Olympic Champion is out’ it was really nice [she laughs] but it started to play on my mind. So thanks to all the socials guys! Today was something that was on my mind regardless, every competition is a challenge for me, and not when it is concerned about my opponents, it is a challenge for within myself.
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen