Out LGBTQ judoka Alice Bellandi is an Olympic champion.
Bellandi defeated Israel’s Inbar Lanir in the gold medal match of the women’s 78k (171 pounds) division Thursday with a dominating performance to claim Italy’s second Olympic gold medal in women’s judo and the first since 2008.
The 2024 World Judo Championships silver medalist commanded the tatami during the bout, staying on offense and never letting Lanir get comfortable. That pressure resulted in Lanir getting two shidos (penalties in judo) before Bellandi snapped off a throw that scored her a waza-ari that put her ahead. In the lead with one minute remaining, Bellandi continued pressuring Lanir until she earned her third shido, giving Bellandi the win by disqualification.
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The image of a bloody-mouthed Bellandi, a mix of joy, confidence and a splash of disbelief emblazoned on her face as the reality of her accomplishment set in tells the story best. The kiss she shared with her partner as she celebrated with family and friends in the crowd afterward explains exactly why LGBTQ representation on the Olympic stage is so vital.
Thursday’s final served as a bit of redemption as well for Bellandi. Lanir defeated Bellandi in the semifinals of the 2023 World Judo Championships on her way to gold, leaving Bellandi to settle for bronze.
Bellandi’s win carries an added sense of importance when juxtaposed with recent actions by the far-right Italian government led by Premier Giorgia Meloni to limit LGBTQ rights, specifically parental rights, and its tacit support for LGBTQ discrimination. Italy was among nine European Union nations that refused to sign an EU declaration in support of pro-LGBTQ policies on World Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia earlier this year.
