According to results published by FIDAL, the Italian Athletics Championships in Florence featured standout performances from the 2005 generation, highlighted by Matteo Sioli matching his personal best in the high jump with a clearance of 2.30 meters. Sioli’s jump matches the height he cleared to win gold at the U23 European Championships last season, placing him among the active contenders for the upcoming European Championships in Birmingham, scheduled for August 10 to 16, according to official reports.
Sioli and Inzoli Lead Young Italian Surge at Florence Championships
According to FIDAL data, the rising cohort of 2005-born athletes made a definitive mark at the Stadio Ridolfi. Gianmarco Tamberi (Fiamme Oro), who finished sixth in the high jump competition with a best clearance of 2.20 meters and three subsequent misses at 2.24 meters, praised the younger generation of jumpers. Tamberi acknowledged the performances of both Sioli and 2004-born Edoardo Stronati (Fiamme Gialle), who cleared 2.27 meters to secure an entry standard for Birmingham.
In the long jump, Francesco Inzoli (Fiamme Gialle) extended his personal best by two centimeters to reach 8.27 meters with a +1.5 wind reading on his first attempt. According to FIDAL records, the mark consolidates Inzoli’s position as fourth on the all-time Italian performance list behind Andrew Howe, Mattia Furlani, and Gregorz Evangelisti. Aldo Rocchi (Acsi Futuratletica) placed second with 7.64 meters, while Samuele Baldi (Atl. Firenze Marathon) took third with 7.56 meters.
Polzonetti and Scotti Deliver Record-Chasing Track Performances
In the 100-meter hurdles, Celeste Polzonetti (Bracco Atletica) ran a wind-neutral 12.74 seconds, equaling her time from the NCAA finals at Hayward Field but coming within five hundredths of a second of the Italian national record, according to race reports. Elena Carraro (Fiamme Gialle) finished second in 12.85 seconds, and Veronica Besana (Fiamme Gialle) took third in 13.07 seconds. Meanwhile, in the men’s 400 meters, Edoardo Scotti (Carabinieri) became the first Italian in 116 editions of the national championships to run the distance in under 45 seconds, clocking a winning time of 44.96 seconds. Lorenzo Benati (Fiamme Azzurre) followed in second with a personal best of 45.21 seconds, and Luca Sito (Fiamme Gialle) placed third in 45.62 seconds.
Nadia Battocletti (Fiamme Azzurre) secured a middle-distance double in Florence. After winning the 5000 meters earlier in the weekend, Battocletti claimed victory in the 1500 meters with a tactical time of 4:17.29, overtaking Laura Pellicoro (Bracco Atletica, 4:18.93) in the final straightaway. In the men’s 1500 meters, Pietro Arese (Fiamme Gialle) used a late surge to win in 3:58.16, edging Joao Bussotti (Esercito, 3:58.23) and Simone Valduga (Aeronautica, 3:59.52).
Sprints and Middle-Distance Highlights at Stadium Ridolfi
The 200-meter events produced notable results, with Filippo Dezza (Bergamo Stars) winning the men’s race in 20.48 seconds ahead of defending champion Fausto Desalu (Fiamme Gialle, 20.58 seconds) and Eduardo Longobardi (Fiamme Gialle, 20.64 seconds). In the women’s 200 meters, Vittoria Fontana (Carabinieri) captured the outdoor tricolore title in 23.03 seconds, defeating Gloria Hooper (Atl. Brescia 1950, 23.10 seconds) and Elena Cambiolo (Quercia Dao Conad, 23.11 seconds), according to FIDAL summaries.
Did you know?
Following the men’s 800-meter final—won by Francesco Pernici in 1.44.89—the 23-year-old athlete proposed to his girlfriend, fourcentist Sara Spatti, on the track at Stadio Ridolfi.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2026 Italian Athletics Championships team titles?
According to FIDAL, the men’s Coppa Italia was won by Fiamme Gialle, while the women’s title went to Carabinieri.
What notable milestone did Edoardo Scotti reach at the championships?
Edoardo Scotti became the first Italian athlete in the 116-year history of the championships to break the 45-second barrier in the 400 meters, running 44.96 seconds.
How did Matteo Sioli perform in the high jump?
Matteo Sioli equaled his personal best with a jump of 2.30 meters, securing the national title and preparing for the European Championships in Birmingham.
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