In Abu Dhabi to don the national colors for the very first time and shine at the 2025 Wako World Championship, the kickboxing world championship their father Chicco had the honor of winning in 1987 (gold in the 57-kilo semi-contact) in Birmingham, before carving out a career as an absolute legend of combat sports. Twins Alessandro and Lorenzo Spanu, 22, sons of multiple world champion Giampaolo (Chicco) Spanu from Domusnova, departed this morning for the United Arab Emirates. Along with 50-year-old master Valentina Cabras from Cagliari (a 2019 world gold medalist), the Spanu twins are the only Sardinian representatives in the 76-man delegation of the national team registered for the world championship, which begins today and continues until November 30th in the Arab country.

Both will compete in the Full Contact discipline (full contact with punches), but in different weight classes: Lorenzo in the 51-kilogram category, Alessandro in the 54-kilogram category. Despite this being their debut, the Spanu twins appear determined to go beyond simply competing: "We're going there to get results, we're aiming for the podium," they say in unison. Their father, who is also their coach, confirms: "They've matured so much, they've worked hard, making sacrifices and giving up: now it's time to reap the benefits. Naturally, it's a source of immense pride for us parents that they're taking part in an event like this: we all hope this is just a first step before they can become regulars among the world of kickboxing greats." The twins are already masters of Full Contact, both having long held two-Dan black belts, and will soon add a third. For them, since they were children, it was a complete immersion in combat sports and the atmosphere of the gym (the Twinspanu Kb Team in Domusnovas, named after them) alongside their famous father, whom they have long helped with courses and lessons.

But studying has gone hand in hand: both are still two exams away from earning a degree in Biomedical Sports Science, which they're already certain they'll use to pursue kickboxing. "It's not difficult," the twins explain, "to balance study and top-level sports; you just need to be organized and determined to achieve your goals." Perhaps even matching or surpassing their father Giampaolo's incredible list of achievements (7 World Championships, 7 World Cups, several European Championships, and 16 Italian titles). "Who knows?" Lorenzo and Alessandro say confidently. "We work hard every day for that too, and then we'll draw conclusions."

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