2025 marked a defining year for many of the athletes recognised in recent editions of the Fair Play Menarini International Award. It was a season filled with achievements across a wide range of disciplines—milestones that highlighted exceptional talent and stirred genuine emotion.
From athletics tracks to indoor arenas, from tatami mats to volleyball courts, a shared culture of respect and fair play has continued to guide both established champions and emerging talents, all contributing—year after year—to the growth and values of sport.

Athletics: a harvest of European and world medals

One of the standout figures of 2025 was Nadia Battocletti, winner in the Social Values of Sport category. She confirmed her extraordinary competitive path with two medals at the World Championships in Tokyo: silver in the 10,000 metres and bronze in the 5,000 metres. These achievements came on top of an already remarkable season that included victory in the 10 km road race at the European Championships, triumph in the World Cross Country Tour, the Italian title in the 5,000 metres, and gold at the European Cross Country Championships.

In the triple jump, Andy Díaz, awarded in the Sport and Solidarity category, enjoyed a season of exceptional prestige. He claimed the European indoor title in Apeldoorn, won gold at the Indoor World Championships in Nanjing, and secured his third career victory at the Diamond League Final in Zurich. A sequence of results that underlines his steady development and technical consistency, now firmly established at international level.

Among the leading figures in Paralympic sport, Rigivan Ganeshamoorthy, winner in the Sport Beyond Sport category, once again proved his value. He recorded the world-leading performance of the season in the F52 shot put (11.66 m) and delivered strong performances at the Italian Championships. In December, he also served as a torchbearer for the Olympic Flame on its journey to the Milan–Cortina 2026 Games, receiving—alongside Gianmarco Tamberi and many other champions—a symbolic recognition of his central role in Italian sport.

Judo, fencing and Paralympic sport: a year to remember

In the year she captured her first world title in the 78 kg category, Alice Bellandi, honoured in the Promoting Sport category, left a clear mark on international judo. Gold at the World Championships in Budapest, silver at the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam, and third place in the world rankings tell the story of a season defined not only by results, but also by growing technical and mental maturity.

In women’s foil fencing, Arianna Errigo, recipient of the A Lifetime of Fair Play award, added another highlight to her extraordinary career by winning European team gold. The Lombardy-born champion continues to be a point of reference for Italian fencing, both on and off the piste.

Among the 2024 award winners, Ambra Sabatini, honoured in the Sport Beyond Sport category, achieved a powerful personal comeback after the Paralympic Games by winning world gold in the 100 metres in New Delhi.

Marco Belinelli, last year’s recipient in the Italy in the World category, brought his playing career to a close after winning the Italian championship with Virtus Bologna, concluding a journey that has left a lasting imprint on the history of Italian basketball.

From volleyball to skiing: world titles and new Olympic ambitions

2025 was also a memorable year for two leading figures in Italian volleyball. Ferdinando De Giorgi (Fair Play Volleyball Award winner in 2010) and Julio Velasco (honoured in the Legends category in 1998) guided the men’s and women’s national teams, respectively, to world titles—further strengthening the reputation of a movement that has long set the standard on the global stage.

In the long jump, Larissa Iapichino, winner in 2023 of the A Smile for Life category, claimed the European indoor title and finished the season as Diamond League champion. In Paralympic swimming, Giulia Ghiretti continued to shine, winning world silver in the 100 breaststroke and bronze in the 200 individual medley, adding two more medals to an already impressive collection.

In alpine skiing, Federica Brignone, honoured in the Role Model for Youth category in 2019, once again demonstrated her determination and resilience. In April, she achieved a remarkable treble within just a few days: the overall World Cup, the giant slalom World Cup, and the world title in giant slalom at Saalbach-Hinterglemm. A historic achievement in winter sports, unfortunately followed by a serious injury. After months of rehabilitation, Federica has announced she is ready to return to competition at the Milan–Cortina 2026 Olympic Games, where she aims to compete at the highest level and once again deliver the emotions that have made her one of the most beloved athletes among fans.

At the Milan–Cortina Winter Games, Federica Brignone will also have the honour of serving as Italy’s flag bearer, alongside curler Amos Mosaner and two other Fair Play Menarini Ambassadors: cross-country skier Federico Pellegrino, winner of the Award in 2017, and speed skater Arianna Fontana, honoured in 2018.

Read more about our Fair Play Menarini Ambassadors:

Nadia Battocletti

Gianmarco Tamberi

Luis Figo

Francesca Schiavone

Lisa Vittozzi

Luis Scola

Giulia Ghiretti

Larissa Iapichino

Javier Zanetti