In the world of judo, history was made again. Italy’s **Alice Bellandi** achieved what many thought impossible — following up her 2024 **Olympic gold medal** with a **world championship title** in Budapest just one year later. Among all Olympic champions of Paris 2024, Bellandi is the only one to return and conquer the world stage in 2025.
The 2025 World Judo Championships in Budapest saw Olympic champions fall one after another, many failing to reach the medal rounds. But Alice Bellandi stayed focused, undistracted by the trend. Her discipline, trust in her preparation, and deep belief in her team carried her through.
“I knew everyone was watching to see if I’d fail like the rest,” said Bellandi. “But I stayed true to what felt right.”
Alice trains with **Fiamme Gialle**, the elite sports unit of Italy’s military police. Though smaller than powerhouse teams in France or Japan, Fiamme Gialle has given Alice unwavering support.
“We don’t have many training partners, but what we lack in numbers, we make up for in dedication and belief,” Alice shared. “They invest in everything — from moving us around to giving us access to top physical and mental coaches. That makes all the difference.”
Surprisingly, Budapest 2025 was **Alice’s first competition since the Paris Olympics**. Her coach, **Antonio Ciano**, initially encouraged her to compete sooner, but Alice trusted her instincts.
“After watching the European Championships from the sidelines, I knew I was ready,” she explained. “I asked my team not to pressure me. I would return when I felt right — and I did.”
Alice’s bond with coach **Antonio Ciano** wasn’t always easy. Years ago, the two had a falling-out and didn’t speak. But ahead of the Tokyo Games, Antonio reached out. That moment of reconciliation became the foundation of a powerful partnership.
“We rebuilt from nothing,” Alice recalled. “Antonio didn’t just train me — he listened, adapted, and learned how to manage my emotions. That trust changed everything.”
The 2025 World Championship final wasn’t easy. Alice admitted she felt physically unwell during the match. But deep into **golden score**, she unleashed a perfect **sasae-tsuri-komi-ashi** — a move not planned, but executed with instinct and faith.
“That throw came from belief,” she said. “I felt bad in my body, but I knew we had prepared well. I’ve learned that not everything can be controlled — sometimes, you just have to trust.”
Now a two-time world-level champion, Alice Bellandi’s story is not just about medals — it’s about emotional strength, trusting the process, and building the right support system.
“The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to believe in myself and my feelings. The team around me — my coach, club, and family — made this possible. This win isn’t just mine. It’s ours.”
Alice’s back-to-back victories in the Olympics and World Championships have placed her among the greatest modern judokas. But she remains humble, focused, and honest about her journey.
As the judo world celebrates her success, Alice Bellandi’s story is a shining example of **resilience, self-belief, and the power of rebuilding**.
Alice Bellandi, Olympic Champion 2024. World Champion 2025. An inspiration on and off the mat.
