Italy gets a late twist in Tbilisi as Basile answers the call

Fabio Basile is heading back to the big stage sooner than expected. The Italian will compete at the European Championships in Tbilisi on 17 April in the -73 kg category after Manuel Lombardo was forced out through injury.

That makes this one of those sudden changes that can reshape a draw in a matter of days. Less than a month ago, Basile had said his next competition would likely come in May. Instead, he now finds himself preparing for a major European event at short notice.

There is also a human side to the story that stands out. According to the source, it was Lombardo himself who contacted Basile, told him about the injury, and said he hoped Basile would be the one to take his place in Georgia.

Lombardo explained on social media that he pushed to be ready until the last possible moment. In the end, the decision was made with the start of the Olympic qualification period and the World Championships in October in Baku in mind. Missing a European Championships is a hard blow, but the message was clear: protect the bigger goals ahead.

A setback for Lombardo has opened an unexpected door for Basile.

Basile sounded determined when speaking about the opportunity. He said staying ready is essential in judo and stressed that he has trained continuously since he was six years old. His last appearance on the European Championships tatami came in 2023.

Another immediate challenge is the weight cut. Basile said he still needs to lose five kilograms and believes it can be done, even if the final stretch will be tough. In a category as demanding as -73 kg, that late adjustment adds another layer of drama.

For Italian judo, this is a difficult update mixed with real anticipation. Lombardo now focuses on recovery, while Basile gets an earlier-than-planned chance to test himself again against Europe’s best.

Source: EJU_News