Tiziano Falcone Wins Bronze

Italy Secures Fourth Medal at Lima Grand Prix with Tiziano Falcone’s Bronze

LIMA (PERU) – The Italian team added another medal on the final day of the Lima Grand Prix, the tenth event of the World Judo Tour season. Following Valerio Accogli’s gold in the -66 kg category and Giorgia Stangherlin’s silver and Irene Pedrotti’s bronze in the -70 kg division, Tiziano Falcone clinched bronze in the -90 kg weight class.

The 26-year-old Roman judoka reached his first career podium on the mats of Coliseo Eduardo Dibos. After receiving a bye in the opening round, Falcone defeated Azerbaijan’s Vugar Talibov in the round of 16, securing a win with a yuko followed by an ippon. In the next round, contesting for the B pool victory, he bested Czech judoka Adam Kopecky by waza-ari.

Falcone then faced Brazil’s Rafael Macedo. The judoka from Casal Bertone initially took the lead with a yuko, but the more experienced Brazilian soon caught up. The match went into golden score, where Falcone scored a decisive waza-ari to end the fight. In the bronze medal match, Falcone overcame Serbian Vojin Mandic, winning by waza-ari and ippon.

The competition was ultimately won by Brazilian champion Macedo, who defeated Azerbaijani Murad Fatiyev by ippon in the final. Kopecky, who also took bronze, won his match against fellow Roman Cristiano Mincinesi, who finished fifth. Just off the podium was Asya Tavano in the +78 kg category.

(Photo: Kulumbegashvili Tamara/IJF)