Un dream that seemed impossible has actually turned to the Swimming World Cup. Chiara Pellacani and Matteo Santoro conquered world gold in the 3 -meter mixed synchro finalovercoming the Chinese favorites Zilong Chen and Yajie Li and the Australian outgoing champions Cassiel Rousseau and Maddra Keeney. With a score of 308.13, the Azzurri conducted an impeccable race, entering in the history of Italian dives.
«Wauuuu», as described in the press release of the Italian Swimming Federationwas the cry that accompanied this historical moment. Immediately followed by another gold medal: that of Simone Cerasuolo in the 50 frogs.
Swimming world championships, a result that rewrites the history of dives
Never an Italian couple had reached such a milestone in dives. Before today, only legends such as Klaus Dibiasi (gold on the platform in Belgrade 1973 and Cali 1975) and Tania Cagnotto (gold in the 1 meter trampoline in Kazan 2015) had conquered a world title. Pellacani and Santoro, former vice -champions of the world in 2024 and Europe in 2025, now add world gold to their collection of eight medals in the mixed synchro between World Cup, European and European Games.
«Congratulations to Chiara Pellacani and Matteo Santoro for a historic company. They beat the best in the world, bringing Italy where a couple had never arrived in dives “said the president of the Italian Nuoto Federation, Paolo Barelli, expressing pride for a result that rewards “talent, work and a technical school that continues to grow”.
The emotions of Chiara Pellacani and Matteo Santoro
The joy of Chiara and Matteo is irrepressible. “The value of this medal is indescribable. We are too happy. Winning it with Matteo is the icing on the cake “said Pellacani, 22 years old, Roman, a psychology student at the University of Miami, where she will soon discuss her degree thesis.
Santoro, 18 years old, Roman and registered for Mr Sport F.lli Marconi and Navy, added: «There are so many emotions all together that I can’t order them, I have a sea inside. There is happiness, even fear because we didn’t think we won ».
Team work behind gold
Success is not only the two athletes, but of an entire team. “We are proud and happy. The boys were also extraordinary because they tried to take this historical medal away “commented the technical director Oscar Bertone, underlining the serenity with which the two faced the race.
The coaches Alice Palmieri and Tommaso Marconi, who follow Pellacani and Santoro since their beginnings, have not hidden the emotion. “We did it. It was a very exciting race, very tight. At the last dive we were boiling, “said Palmieri. And Marconi added: “It was the most beautiful race of this world championship. The difference made the second dip, the reversed carpiato, where Chiara and Matteo were convinced that they could take the most valuable medal”.
Simone Cerasuolo, the new king of the 50 frogs
Not only dives: Italy also shines in the tank with Simone Cerasuolo, who at 22 years of age conquers the title of world champion in the 50 frogs, By breaking the series of silver of the Italnuoto and writing a new chapter in the history of the specialty. Romagna, registered for Fiamme Oro and Imolanuoto, dominated the final with a time trial of 26 “54, a penny with a personal record, detaching the Russian Kirill Prigoda (26” 62) and the Chinese Qin Haiyang, gold in Fukuoka 2023, relegated to bronze (26 “67).
“I dedicate this victory to my mother, who brought me to the pool, to my father and my brother who have always supported me”said an excited Cerasuolo, European silver in Rome 2022. “My dream has always been to be able to shout to be world champion: I did it “. His victory, the first Italian gold medal in this discipline, brings the Italnuoto to five overall medals to the World Cup, confirming the talent of a school that looks with confidence to the future, also in view of the insertion of the 50 frogs in the 2028 Olympic program.