Biography
Impairment information
Type of Impairment
Spinal Cord Injuries
Origin of Impairment
Acquired
Further personal information
Residence
Turin, ITA
Occupation
Athlete
Languages
English, Italian
Higher education
Communications - University of Turin: Italy
Sport specific information
When and where did you begin this sport?
He took up the sport at age 19 in 2010 in Turin, Italy.
Why this sport?
He began playing Para ice hockey as part of his rehabilitation. "I met a guy in the hospital who played the game."
Club / Team
SportDiPiu Tori Seduti: Turin, ITA
Name of coach
Renato Vaccarino [club], ITA; Massimo Da Rin [national], ITA
Preferred position / style / stance / technique
Defence
International debut
Year
2010
Competing for
Italy
Tournament
International Tournament
Location
Villach, AUT
General interest
Nicknames
Ma Ki, Il Conte [The Count]. (sportdipiu.it, 2016)
Hobbies
Visiting wineries, gardening, mountain biking, wheelchair tennis. (paralympic.org, 12 Feb 2022, 23 Nov 2021)
Memorable sporting achievement
Finishing fourth at the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang. (paralympic.org, 12 Feb 2022; Athlete, 01 Mar 2022)
Hero / Idol
Italian Para ice hockey player Andrea Chiarotti. (Athlete, 01 Mar 2022)
Injuries
In December 2015 an injury prevented him from competing at an international tournament in Turin, Italy. He returned to the national team in February 2016. (paralympic.org, 07 Feb 2016; paralimpici.gazzetta.it, 06 Dec 2015)
Sporting philosophy / motto
"Have fun in whatever you do." (Athlete, 08 Mar 2014)
Other sports
He competed in wheelchair fencing at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, and won silver in team foil at the 2011 World Championships in Catania, Italy. (SportsDeskOnline, 25 Nov 2021; paralympic.org, 30 Oct 2013)
Ambitions
To captain the Italian team at the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games in Milan-Cortina. (paralympic.org, 12 Feb 2022)
Impairment
In November 2008 he was a pupil at Darwin High School in Rivoli, Italy, when the building's ceiling collapsed. His legs and spine were crushed by cast iron pipes, which resulted in paraplegia. (Athlete, 10 Mar 2018; comitatoparalimpico.it, 16 Mar 2014)
Other information
SOMMELIER
He has a passion for wine tasting and has taken exams to qualify as a sommelier. "I have a big passion for this. I did three courses and then the COVID [pandemic] started so I have a final exam. I really enjoy it when I have free time. Not to become drunk, to enjoy wine, to visit new wineries and also when I am travelling on my day off. I will think about whether to turn it into a job or keep it as a passion." (paralympic.org, 12 Feb 2022)
OTHER ACTIVITIES
In 2017 he was named an athlete representative on the International Paralympic Committee [IPC] Para ice hockey sport technical committee. He has also served as a member of the athlete's commission at the Italian Paralympic Committee. (paralympic.org, 01 Jun 2017; Facebook profile, 04 Oct 2020)
SPORTING TRIBUTE
His classmate Vito Scafidi was killed in the same accident that led to his impairment. "Every time I get a result in sport my first thought goes to my classmate Vito. It is the only way to remember him in the right way." (spoomeweek.com, 11 Nov 2013)
He has a passion for wine tasting and has taken exams to qualify as a sommelier. "I have a big passion for this. I did three courses and then the COVID [pandemic] started so I have a final exam. I really enjoy it when I have free time. Not to become drunk, to enjoy wine, to visit new wineries and also when I am travelling on my day off. I will think about whether to turn it into a job or keep it as a passion." (paralympic.org, 12 Feb 2022)
OTHER ACTIVITIES
In 2017 he was named an athlete representative on the International Paralympic Committee [IPC] Para ice hockey sport technical committee. He has also served as a member of the athlete's commission at the Italian Paralympic Committee. (paralympic.org, 01 Jun 2017; Facebook profile, 04 Oct 2020)
SPORTING TRIBUTE
His classmate Vito Scafidi was killed in the same accident that led to his impairment. "Every time I get a result in sport my first thought goes to my classmate Vito. It is the only way to remember him in the right way." (spoomeweek.com, 11 Nov 2013)
Results
Unit | Date | Rank |
---|
Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mixed | Group B | 2014-03-08 | 1 | |
Mixed | Group B | 2014-03-09 | 4 | |
Mixed | Group B | 2014-03-11 | 5 | |
Mixed | Group B - Standings | 2014-03-11 | 3 | |
Mixed | Classification 5-6 | 2014-03-12 | 201 | |
Mixed | Classification 5-8 | 2014-03-14 | 101 |
Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mixed Tournament | Group A | 2018-03-10 | 1 | |
Mixed Tournament | Group A | 2018-03-11 | 3 | |
Mixed Tournament | Group A | 2018-03-12 | 5 | |
Mixed Tournament | Group A - Standings | 2018-03-13 | 2 | |
Mixed Tournament | Semifinal | 2018-03-15 | 2 | |
Mixed Tournament | Bronze Medal Match | 2018-03-17 | 1 |