The roster of our student-athletes has been greatly enriched this year. In addition to the already interviewed Gigi Datome, there are many successful athletes who have chosen to marry the Luiss Sport Program. Loaded for the challenge that awaits them, the new Top Athletes told us how they are living the beginning of their Dual Career path. Let’s meet better some of the new faces of the great family of AS Luiss.

Brunella Aria

Brunella Aria was awarded a silver medal at the European Championships held in Poland in February, and is one of the young promises of the Sporting Shooting. She recently moved to Rome to follow the class of Economics and Management in Luiss and is enthusiastic about the choice: “I am very happy to be able to combine training and sport. I know it will be challenging, but I will work hard to make it. I’m studying Private Law and I’m really enjoying it”. Between the shooting range and the university lecture halls there are some similarities: “Concentration is a crucial factor in my discipline and I believe that it will help me a lot in the preparation of the exams”. Joining AS Luiss makes her particularly proud: “It is a great honor to be part of a project that includes so many important athletes. With a position like this, we are sure that she will also succeed in Dual Career.

 

Manfredi Albanese Ginammi

A double new beginning awaits, instead, Manfredi Albanese Ginammi. The Top Athlete, in fact, has recently moved from Lazio to Rugby Calvisano: “On October 31 the season starts again, it will be a year of big changes for me”. An important change, since the new team is reigning champion and aims to confirm itself. Just like the National Under 20 team, stopped at the top of the last season during a 6 Nations that was giving satisfaction to Manfredi and his teammates. Among his main qualities he mentions “the discipline and the ability to reach the goals”, qualities that will surely come back useful for the Dual Career. A path that is preparing to live with “a lot of emotion, because it is a great opportunity: I am part of an international level University  and a group of athletes of the highest rank“. A proactive and determined approach, confirmed by an unequivocal phrase: “I have a great desire to demonstrate my qualities, both in sport and studying”.

Riccardo Marca

Riccardo Marca, former Italian Windsurfing champion says: “Being together with these athletes is a fantastic emotion. Having enrolled in the Economics & Business course, Riccardo is not at all frightened by the double commitment: “The Dual Career represents a human enrichment that can give me more opportunities in the future”. His secret, in water as in books, is motivation: “Sport has taught me the importance of determination and I put it in everything I do”. Goals for the future? “Degree and world podium”. With a charge like that, we are sure that he will plough the waves of Dual Career as he is used to do in windsurfing competitions.

Vincenzo Abbagnale

Vincenzo Abbagnale is a son and nephew of art: his father and his uncle are, in fact, the most famous couple in the history of Italian rowing. Now, however, for the three-time World Champion, it’s time to join a second family of champions, naming AS Luiss: “I’m honored, I want to face this new path”. A choice based on a deep conviction: “For Luiss I have refused some American universities. It is one of the best Italian universities and I was fascinated by the way in which sport is considered as an issue capable of making students grow”. He will study Marketing and is already ready to make a great commitment: “It will be difficult, but I am aware that my sacrifices will be rewarded in the future”. We are also convinced of this, Vincenzo. Good luck!

Giuseppe Panagia

Same charge for karateka and student of Management and Enterprise Giuseppe Panagia: “A new challenge begins and I am really very determined. Dual Career is a difficult task, but for a fighter like him this is not a problem: “I will face the exams with dedication, sport helps me a lot in organization and programming”. A determination to which a strong emotion is attached: “I’m very happy to have joined a community of sportsmen and women like this, it’s really an honor to be part of AS Luiss”. Now, however, the goal of the two-time European Under 21 champion is above all one: “In February there will be the Olympic qualifications in Lisbon and I have an enormous desire to return to compete”. We can only wish our new Top Athelte the best of luck!

Samuele Ricci

Samuele Ricci is one of the most interesting prospects of Italian soccer. Two years ago he was the star of the European ride of Italy Under 17, stopped only in the final match against Netherlands. Born in Pisa, grew up in Empoli, according to some sports newspapers he could leave the Tuscan team to join Milan. If his football future is in the balance, the university is not, Samuele choose Luiss and is proud of it: “I’m very happy, it’s a prestigious University that has an excellent organization and important prospects. He will study Economics and Management and is ready to exploit “the ability to manage commitments with seriousness and autonomy”. Not hard to believe that a midfielder with good feet like him will know how to dribble one exam after another.

Giorgio Marciano

Among his colleagues there will also be one of the youngest Top Athletes present in the group: the class 2002 Giorgio Marciano. Despite his very young age, the fencer has very clear ideas: “I chose the Faculty of Economics and Management because I think it can give me many possibilities in the future. A path for which he is ready to put in field the teachings learned during years of challenges on the platform: “I will bring in the study resilience, constancy and ability to optimize”. Giorgio already has important medals behind him (a world silver and a European bronze under 17), but he says he is “proud to be part of AS Luiss” and emphasizes the hope of “contributing to the lustre of the University”. A true champion mentality.

We wish them all the best of luck, wishing them a fulfilling academic career, as well as a sporting one.