Italy’s sitting volleyball star Sara Cirelli is poised to compete on the world’s biggest stage for the second time, ready to defy the odds at Paris 2024. A European champion and the standout player of her team, Cirelli has her eyes set on the Paralympic Games with fierce determination.
In this feature, she shares her hopes, experiences and her journey that brought her back to sport after a life-changing accident.
“I played volleyball until I was 18, but I had a motorbike accident that ended my competitive career. After several surgeries, I couldn’t return to the sport,” she recounted. “Discovering sitting volleyball six years later was amazing. Volleyball has been my passion since I was a child. Returning to the court with Giulia, our setter, and feeling the emotions of the game again was incredible.”
When asked about her aspirations for the upcoming Paralympic Games, she acknowledges the challenges ahead.
“We know that winning a medal is very hard because there are four big teams in the tournament. They are stronger, but we hope to compete against them as best as we can,” she said. “I hope for the Paralympics that we will be able to play like we do when we are free of emotions and stress. We are a good team, but we need more improvement. When we play without stress, we play very well. I hope we can compete to have fun and truly enjoy the game.”
“We are a group that has played together for almost six years now, and we are more or less the same girls. We know each other very well, and we are really connected. Our strength is that we are friends, not just teammates. This bond extends beyond the sport,” the Italian star explained, believing the unity and long-standing bond within the team are their greatest assets.
Italy face a tough pool in Paris, competing against Paralympic champions USA and China. Despite the pressure, Cirelli remains hopeful.
“We hope to beat them for the first time. It’s not easy, but it’s not impossible. We will try to do our best, have fun, and see what happens. The ball is round, and anything can happen.”
Cirelli is proud of the gaining popularity of sitting volleyball in her country, but she believes that there is still room for growth.
“We have about 10 female teams and 16 male teams, with some mixed teams as well. The level is not very high yet, but we are improving. We have three main tournaments each year, including the championship and two cups. We hope more teams will join because it’s a beautiful sport to play,” Cirelli shared.
As Sara Cirelli prepares for her second Paralympic appearance, she carries with her the hopes of a nation and the spirit of a true champion.
