Italy’s sitting volleyball star Sara Cirelli is poised to compete on the world’s greatest stage for the second time, able to defy the percentages at Paris 2024. A European champion and the standout participant of her crew, Cirelli has her eyes set on the Paralympic Video games with fierce willpower.
On this characteristic, she shares her hopes, experiences and her journey that introduced her again to sport after a life-changing accident.
“I performed volleyball till I used to be 18, however I had a bike accident that ended my aggressive profession. After a number of surgical procedures, I couldn’t return to the game,” she recounted. “Discovering sitting volleyball six years later was superb. Volleyball has been my ardour since I used to be a toddler. Returning to the courtroom with Giulia, our setter, and feeling the feelings of the sport once more was unbelievable.”
When requested about her aspirations for the upcoming Paralympic Video games, she acknowledges the challenges forward.
“We all know that profitable a medal may be very exhausting as a result of there are 4 massive groups within the match. They’re stronger, however we hope to compete towards them as finest as we are able to,” she mentioned. “I hope for the Paralympics that we will play like we do once we are freed from feelings and stress. We’re a very good crew, however we want extra enchancment. Once we play with out stress, we play very effectively. I hope we are able to compete to have enjoyable and actually benefit from the recreation.”
“We’re a gaggle that has performed collectively for nearly six years now, and we’re roughly the identical ladies. We all know one another very effectively, and we’re actually linked. Our power is that we’re pals, not simply teammates. This bond extends past the game,” the Italian star defined, believing the unity and long-standing bond inside the crew are their biggest belongings.
Italy face a troublesome pool in Paris, competing towards Paralympic champions USA and China. Regardless of the strain, Cirelli stays hopeful.
“We hope to beat them for the primary time. It’s not straightforward, but it surely’s not not possible. We are going to attempt to do our greatest, have enjoyable, and see what occurs. The ball is spherical, and something can occur.”
Cirelli is happy with the gaining reputation of sitting volleyball in her nation, however she believes that there’s nonetheless room for development.
“We’ve got about 10 feminine groups and 16 male groups, with some combined groups as effectively. The extent shouldn’t be very excessive but, however we’re bettering. We’ve got three primary tournaments annually, together with the championship and two cups. We hope extra groups will be a part of as a result of it’s a ravishing sport to play,” Cirelli shared.
As Sara Cirelli prepares for her second Paralympic look, she carries together with her the hopes of a nation and the spirit of a real champion.
