An example of celebration of sport and, at the same time, of strength and life, the demonstration of how a paralympic athlete triumphs by challenging the odds to reach extraordinary goals. Giovanni Achenza, 53 years old, originally from Oschiri, Italian and international champion of handbike and paracycling, told of his podiums and victories to an audience of students and teachers of the Liceo scientifico sportivo “Mario Paglietti” of Porto Torres.

"Sport was my rebirth," he said in the meeting held this morning, Wednesday 21 May, at the Auditorium of the Scientific and Sports High School, in front of the school principal Daniele Taras and the mayor Massimo Mulas, a precious opportunity for the many kids, attentive spectators of an engaging testimony capable of inspiring the new generations. The competitive journey begins after an accident at work. From bricklayer to champion of sport and life. At 32 years old, a spinal cord injury, caused by a trivial fall from a ladder on a construction site, forced him to change his perspective. First darkness, then suddenly light.

"The encouragement I received from my family helped me, in the first three years after the injury when I was depressed and couldn't even do everyday things. Then I started practicing handcycling, initially just to go out with my two children, then I began my sports career". This is what Giovanni Achenza said, who for a few weeks has been the protagonist of a series of stops in different cities of the province to meet students from different schools to whom he can send his message of strength. An initiative promoted by the Specialist Assistance Service coordinated by Nadia Monti, together with colleagues Manuela Chessa and Andrea Mura, as part of the project of the Province of Sassari, in collaboration with the Altri colori cooperative and the Parsifal Consortium. Achenza talked about the beginning of a new road, first uphill then downhill, facing obstacles and architectural barriers. He takes on paracycling competitions and wins five consecutive Italian championships. He begins the challenge with himself, later landing in Para-triathlon. In 2009 he joined the Italian national Para-cycling team together with his teammates, athletes Alex Zanardi, Vittorio Podestà, Paolo Cecchetto. «The first athlete who inspired me was Alex Zanardi, with whom I share the beginning of my sporting career in the same category, during which we challenged each other in the marathons in 2008 and in the time trial of the Italian championship: I won the title in 2009 and he came in second, despite being the favorite». The failure to be called up by the Fpi to the Paralympic Games in London led him to change direction: from para-cycling to paratriathlon. In 2016, having obtained the classification for the Paralympics, he earned third place and the bronze medal at the Rio de Janeiro Games. «The most exciting victory. From that moment I started to work a lot». In 2019, he conquered the podium and the bronze medal at the World Championships in Lausanne, and a few weeks later, in Valencia, he won the title of European champion. In Tokyo 2020, her second medal at the Paralympic Games, a third place and the bronze. «Another opportunity won and a gratifying moment».

In 2023 he won gold and the title of European Para-Duathlon champion. In 2024, in Loano, he earned his tenth title of Italian champion. The World Triathlon Organization publishes his 67 races, with 23 victories and 45 podiums. In the World Cup Series he won 9 golds, 10 silvers and 5 bronzes. Classified at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, he obtained a 5th place at the age of 53, confirming himself as one of the longest-lived and most competitive athletes in international Para-triathlon. In 2025, in Loano, he earned his eleventh title of Italian champion. «Now the hope is that they separate the two categories of athletes, H1 and H2, I am part of the first, which allows us to start earlier due to the different disability. My competitive future will depend on this, otherwise I will remain as the team's technician", he says, those same teammates who now call him "Captain" and "MacGyver" for his ability to make bicycles perform well.

© Riproduzione riservata