Paralympic champion raimondi Honored with cangrande Prize,Recognizing Verona‘s sporting Excellence
Verona,Italy – Stefano Raimondi,a six-time Paralympic gold medalist,and Luca Pizzini,a former European bronze medalist in breaststroke,were among the celebrated athletes recognized at the 2024 Cangrande Prize ceremony held at Casa Verona within the Arsenale. The prestigious awards honor outstanding achievements in the Veronese sporting community, spanning a diverse range of disciplines from swimming to football and beyond.
The Cangrande Prize, a lifetime achievement award, was presented to Pizzini, a 1998 graduate of Bonaldo di Zinella and three-time European bronze medalist in the 200m breaststroke. raimondi’s recognition underscores a year of personal and athletic triumph, having recently become a father for the second time. The event also acknowledged the broader spectrum of Verona’s athletic talent, highlighting both established champions and rising stars.
This year’s winners included: Tommaso Tosoni and Nicolò Interlandi (Head-Up skydiving record of 23); Alessio Magagnotti (world and European champion under 23 – cycling); Pietro Corcioni (silver world championships in Los Angeles - Judo); Samuel aldegheri (MLB pitcher with Los Angeles); Cristian Soave and Caldiero Calcio (promoted to Serie C in 2024); Sean Sogliano (Hellas sports director); Daring five-a-side football (Italian under 19 women’s champion); and Giampaolo Bendinelli (triathlon champion, 80 times iroman from 2005 to 2025).
Special acknowledgments were also given to Extensive School 9 (qualified for the national handball school competition phase), Rotalam (sponsor), and The Great Challenge (promoter of the “A Ball like the World” initiative).
the ceremony was notably impacted by the absence of 92-year-old emma Mazzenga, a record-breaking runner, due to unforeseen circumstances. Photographer Francesco Grigolini documented the evening’s events, capturing the spirit of Verona’s vibrant sporting landscape.
