Panathlon Reggiano: Sara Nestola and Reggio Rays Baseball protagonists of the evening

Double guests at the evening organized by the Reggio Emilia Panathlon, by its president Enrico Prandi and by the master of ceremonies Paolo Panciroli: individual sports with Sara Nestola, recent bronze at the European half marathon and team sports, with the Reggio Rays Baseball branded Palfinger that competes in the Serie A elite championship. In addition, the Italian Fidal title of Antonio Tallarita was remembered, who in Mestre won the tricolor category SM65, in the terrible 24-hour race in which the Sicilian athlete of the Atletica Licata won by running 177,240 km, eighth Italian among all categories. Also of great prestige is the bronze star for the year 2023 that Giorgio Aldini (Panathlon member) received in Bologna from the president of Coni, Gianni Malagò, for his activity in martial arts.

But let's go back to Sara Nestola who, accompanied by her coach Stefano Baldini, told a curious anecdote that happened at the European Championships in Leuven: "It's true, I reached the finish line but I didn't know I was a bronze medalist. I was fifth, I overtook an opponent, but I didn't realize that another had stopped 900 meters from the finish line, so I thought I was fourth. Hence the great emotion of winning my first international medal as a senior".

Nestola (44 kilos of nerves and muscles), also defended herself well at the table: with Baldini and Tallarita she was bombarded with many questions and from the answers, between training methodologies, IT aids and new technologies, it was clear that now nothing is left to chance. "We are confident that Sara can participate in the marathon world championships this year - said Baldini - 100 will go and at the beginning of May the lists close. She is right around the hundredth place in the world, we can do it". Claudio Biagini, president and coach of the Reggio Emilia baseball club, spoke with some athletes and vice Luca Pelati, recalling how this club has been operating in Reggio since 1972, with ups and downs due above all to the costs of the top league: "We have a very young team that also includes foreigners, but in practice everyone works. We train almost like professionals, three times on the field, plus the gym, plus two games in two days, but we are amateurs. In addition, we have excellent youth teams and there are also softball girls".

Claudio Lavaggi