Tbilisi turns into Pirelli’s breakthrough as Italy adds another gold

Not long before the 2026 European Judo Championships Seniors in Tbilisi, Gennaro Pirelli apparently was not even sure he would be able to compete. A few days later, the Italian walked away with the first senior continental gold medal of his career in the -100 kg category.

That result carries extra weight because his road to Tbilisi had been difficult. Pirelli was coming back from injury and had also gone through a painful personal loss in his family. Instead of breaking him, that period seemed to sharpen his focus for the biggest moment of his senior career so far.

He had already been close before, taking bronze at the previous two editions of the European Championships. This time, he arrived determined to go further. In Tbilisi, that hunger finally turned into gold.

From uncertainty before the event to European champion in Tbilisi.

In the -100 kg final, Pirelli faced Dutch judoka Simeon Catharina. Catharina had a clear height advantage, but Pirelli did not see that as a new problem. He has long been used to being one of the shorter athletes in his category, and he approached the final with that same mindset.

The hardest part, he suggested, was emotional rather than physical. He did not want to waste the opportunity or make the mistake that could change everything. When the title was secured, the release was obvious.

Italy’s day became even stronger because Pirelli delivered the team’s second gold medal. Earlier, Alice Bellandi had already won the women’s -78 kg title. Pirelli said seeing his teammate become European champion gave him an extra push before stepping onto the Tatami himself.

His victory in Tbilisi was not just about one final. It was the reward for persistence after injury, for staying in the fight through personal hardship, and for turning back-to-back bronze finishes into a European title.

Source: EJU_News