Artistic gymnastics, stunning Italian double at European Championships
Manila Esposito and Alice D'Amato gold and silver in the all-around
Italian gymnastics rejoices over the resounding one-two signed by Manila Esposito and Alice D'Amato in the all-around competition at the 2024 European Championships being held in Rimini. A historic result for the Italian team, which had never before achieved, at the individual all-around level, a first-second double in the continental event.
Esposito, a 17-year-old from Torre Annunziata, achieved an overall score of 55.432 (VT 13.566 – PA 14.066 – TR 14.200 – CL 13.600). The gymnast from the Gruppo Sportivo Fiamme Oro della Polizia di Stato, coached at Brixia by Enrico Casella, was just over half a point ahead of Alice D’Amato, who recorded 54,831 points to be precise (VO 13,966 – PA 14,633 – TR 13,766 – CL 12,466).
Only the rule of two passports per nation prevented Italy from scoring a hat trick: Angela Andreoli had the third highest score of the day (53.766), but had to give up her place on the podium to Britain&#rsquo;s Alice Kinsella, European bronze medalist with a total of 53.599 (VO 14.000 – PA 14.000 – TR 12.800 – CL 13.466).
Alice D'Amato dedicated the medal to her sister Asia: the latter, in fact, suffered an injury during her exercise, sustaining a severe blow to her left knee, which had already undergone ligament surgery. Asia D'Amato è was promptly rescued by federal physician Dr. Maria Conforti and coach Casella, who carried her away amidst cheers of encouragement from the Rimini Fair arena. The athlete è was transported to the hospital for necessary investigations.
