Simone Cerasuolo interview: “Me, swimming, Sinner and Allegri”

A debut as a world champion. For Simone Cerasuolo, from Tuesday 2 December in Lublin, Poland, climbing onto the block of the short course European Championships will have a special flavour: in the heats of the 100m breaststroke he will have to go strong straight away to be among the first two Italians, but also to present himself with a role that the summer gold in the 50m has carved out for him. He will also have to defend the image of the world champion, between an Olympian like Nicolò Martinenghi, an emerging player like Ludovico Viberti and a debutant like Gabriele Mancini. It’s a national team without Benedetta Pilato (who won’t be able to defend her 2-year title in the 50m breaststroke, due to the disqualification that also involved Chiara Tarantino), and Greg Paltrinieri, now more involved from the bottom even if he will continue to attend the 1500m. The Italian leaders among the 30 called up are the Olympians Thomas Ceccon (competing only in the 100 and 200 backstroke, scheduled today, and in the relays before leaving for Australia) and Nicolò Martinenghi, the world champion Simone Cerasuolo, the silver world champion Simona Quadarella, the throwing aces Sara Curtis (who will return to the USA after the European Championships, skipping the Winter Championships) and Carlos D’Ambrosio. Seven are making their absolute debut: Alessandra Mao, Irene Burato, Paola Borrelli, Agata Maria Ambler; Giovanni Guatti, Francesco Lazzari and Gabriele Mancini. Short course specialists Lorenzo Mora, Michele Busa and Costanza Cocconcelli are back in blue. The captains remain Lorenzo Zazzeri and Silvia Di Pietro. Without Russians who have not obtained visas from Poland, the event sees the British and French competing. Italy will compare itself with the spoils of Otopeni 2023 where it achieved 22 podiums (7-12-3). Meanwhile, Cerasuolo tells his story.

Cerasuolo, how has your life changed in just a few months? Will he feel the pressure of the new condition?

“I think I’ll live these European Championships carefree, I’ll try to do my best. I’m keen because last year in the short course I wasn’t able to express myself very well and I’d like to do well from 25 meters too. I’ve done a good round of work, so far I haven’t had any problems. I’ve also done a good altitude. I’ve trained well. I think I’ve made some steps forward in training.”

Has your mentality also changed in the way you approach your daily work?

“I’ve always been very good at my daily approach to work. But I certainly have more awareness. Given the facts, this is the right path I’m taking, so I also have more flavor in what I do. I put more flavor into it. A Romagna flavour”.

Perhaps there has never been as much competition as this time in the breaststroke: from now on it will be a double challenge, between Italians and foreign opponents.

“Yes, already in the heats of the European Championships we should “slaughter” each other because in any case there will be four of us, but two will remain out. So we will already be there in the heats ready to challenge each other. But I believe that in any case it is good for us and for the movement. We need to see it and live it in a positive way. Because if you suffer it in the end…”.

Is it all a game in the head too?

“Well, definitely. You have to be focused. And don’t get caught up in useless things: mentally you have to stay more on concrete things, stay focused and try to do your job well.”

From Martinenghi to Viberti to foreigners, will you be seen differently?

“I don’t know, I don’t think so. In the end it’s still me, but honestly I don’t really care how others see me. I prefer to see how I see myself.”

And how do you see yourself as a world champion after a summer full of public commitments and catwalks?

“The most beautiful and exciting moment was at the Juventus stadium, I met Chiellini. I’ll be back. The world of sport and football drives me crazy, I never get tired. But I also understand what Thomas Ceccon says about distractions. Obviously I still don’t have the media attention he has and I don’t like it too much, in this I see myself a little in him. It’s not always nice to talk about yourself. When I can, I stay calm in my city.”

Did you ask Martinenghi or Scozzoli for more advice on how to experience and manage success?

“I spoke with Martinenghi at the World Championships in Singapore. I see Scozzoli more often at training and obviously he has given me more advice. But I asked for more help from my family, who absolutely only wants my best.”

After the world gold medal, the news arrived that the 50m breaststroke will be Olympic from 2028 and therefore there will be two opportunities at the Olympics, 50m and 100m breaststroke. Will he go to Paris in 2026 only for the European Championships, will he take revenge in Los Angeles?

“For now I’m training for both distances. I want to grow in both. I’m absolutely not thinking about just one race. It’s not the time to think about it yet. Maybe the time will come, let’s see what it brings in the future. But certainly now the focus is preparing for the two races.”

However, how do you imagine the irruption of more mature breaststrokers like Peaty in the race that you won?

“A Peaty will not go to Los Angeles just to participate. Any champion who shows up on the starting block will want to have his say, I am sure that if he comes he will be able to have his say. We Italians, and we don’t know who will be there, will sell our lives dearly.”

The Russians won’t be at the European Championships: will it be easier this week?

“I’m sorry they’re not there. The Russian breaststroke players are very strong. I would have liked to compete again with Prigoda, Shymanovich. I hope to see them in Paris in the summer. The more strong people there are, the more stimulating it is for everyone. And so it’s always a good thing.”

What is left of that Cerasuolo who set the junior world record in the 50m breaststroke?

“Definitely the desire to train, the desire to show oneself what he is worth. And to continue to fight for one’s dreams every day.”

He always charges with Juventus…

“My motto “until the end” is the same as the Bianconeri’s as seen in the Champions League. I can also move it to swimming. I like Spalletti. He is a man who knows and is very intelligent. I believe Juve will do well.”

Among his idols are Allegri and Sinner. Who would you like to meet first?

“Besides Juventus, now I would really like to meet both of them. I’m sure it will happen very soon.”

A swimmer who sees tennis winning?

“What Sinner has done in recent years has changed the way we see individual sport. What Sinner did with his victory at Wimbledon and that historic final at Roland Garros remain unforgettable examples. Sinner has changed individual sport in Italy. He is a sporting figure absolutely to be admired. I can’t wait to get to know him.”

Is humility something you perhaps have in common?

“Yes, absolutely. He is a very calm person. He likes to work on what he loves. And in the end, humility and work together create the best way to win. Which doesn’t necessarily mean becoming world champion, but it is a personal success.”

Do you watch the Singapore gold medal every morning when you go to training?

“I don’t look at it every day, but often in difficult moments it reminds me a little of the strength of those moments. Seeing that final again makes everything in my day more beautiful.”

Winning is difficult, is repeating a different and more complicated challenge?

“Yes, the challenge is always higher, but in the end it’s also the beauty of it. Whoever wins must try to stay on top, whoever doesn’t win must try to make up for it. This is the beauty of sport. Defeats help you grow and lead to the best moments.”

What gift did he give himself to the world’s gold?

“The gift I gave myself is more of a heartfelt gift: I got the dog, a chocolate Labrador. His name is Singa, from Singapore…”.