Sunday September 24th broadcast in prime time on Rai 1, fiction "The winning jab" which tells the human and sporting story of Paolo Pizzo, world champion of fencing.
The story of the world champion Paolo Pizzo
Paolo Pizzo he is the athlete from Catania who has won twice world champion in the sword specialty (in 2011 and 2017), facing the ordeal of having a brain tumor. Paolo told his story process in the book “The Winning Hit” , written together with Maurizio Nicita published by Sperling&Kupfer, from which the homonymous fiction which will be broadcast on Sunday was based.
Born in Catania on 4 April 1983, Paolo practiced fencing from an early age thanks to his father Piero, his coach as well as fencer. The athlete boasts a family of athletes and champions in fencing and volleyball on both sides.
The illness
At the age of thirteen he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Thanks to determination, care, love for fencing and the support of his family, Paolo did not give up and continued on the path to achieve his dream.
Over time it became even AIRC testimonial. He treated himself and recovered. He is part of the Air Force, he married the athlete Lavinia Bonesso from 2015.
Paolo Pizzo, the victories
Pizzo won the 2011 gold medal in epee AI Fencing World Championships played in Catania, a success that was repeated in the 2017 Leipzig World Cup. Paolo also includes other prestigious and numerous titles including the silver medal.
A champion in sport and in life.
The fiction with Alessio Vassallo
The actor from Palermo Alessio Vassallo, known for his performance in “The young Montalbano“, gives his face to the champion from Catania. Flavio Insinna plays the father.
The fiction is inspired by the book; is directed by Nicola Campiotti and written by Marco Videtta with the collaboration of Alessandro Tonda and Nicola Campiotti together with Pizzo and Nicita tells this story of courage. Paolo faced life with tenacity, stubbornness and without ever giving up, like a true champion knows how to do.
Turned between Sicilia in iconic places such as Etna, Acicastello, Catania and Lazio tells a positive Italian example to propose and make known.
Here one clip of the drama broadcast on Sunday evening.
cover photo: CONI
