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Matteo
AICARDI |
Sport |
Water Polo |
NOC |
Italy
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Gender | Men |
Born | 19 Apr 1986
in Finale Ligure, ITA |
Height | 1.92 m |
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Sport Specific Information |
Club / Team |
Pro Recco [ITA] / Centro Sportivo Esercito [ITA]: |
General Interest |
Injuries |
In September 2020 he underwent surgery on his left shoulder to treat a ligament injury that he had aggravated during a training camp with the national team. He returned to competition in January 2021. (Instagram profile, 20 Jan 2021, 02 Dec 2020; ivg.it, 16 Sep 2020)
He sustained a back injury during the 2017/18 season that saw him miss a national team training camp and club matches for Pro Recco in Italy. (wpdworld.com, 24 Jan 2018)
He suffered a broken nose in Italy's first match at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and wore a protective face mask for the rest of the competition. (ONS, 08 Aug 2016)
In early 2015 he was troubled by a groin injury. (mondonuoto.it, 17 Feb 2015)
He injured his right wrist in May 2012 but recovered in time to compete at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. (ivg.it, 29 Jul 2012) |
Sport Specific Information |
Name of coach |
Sandro Sukno [Pro Recco], CRO; Alessandro Campagna [national], ITA |
Preferred position / style / stance / technique |
Centre forward |
Handedness |
Right |
When and where did you begin this sport? |
He began playing water polo in Loano, Italy. |
Further Personal Information |
Languages |
English, Italian |
Occupation |
Armed Forces Athlete, Business Owner, Coach |
General Interest |
Nicknames |
Big Matt (ivg.it, 14 Aug 2012) |
Sport Specific Information |
Why this sport? |
He played football when he was younger but, because of work commitments, his parents could not take him to training sessions. Two boys at his school played water polo in Loano, Italy, so he went along to try the sport and continued playing from there. |
General Interest |
Most influential person in career |
Coach Alessandro Campagna. (ilfaroonline.it, 25 Nov 2017) |
Awards and honours |
In 2012 he received the Gold Collar of Sporting Merit from the Italian National Olympic Committee [CONI]. (sicilia.coni.it, 17 Apr 2012) |
Other information |
ARMY ATHLETE In February 2021 he joined the Italian military corps as an armed forces athlete. "I have always worn the colours of my country on my chest. In international matches, during the anthem, I have always felt a shiver down my spine that reminds me that what I do, I do for someone besides myself or a group of 13 players. Now I am lucky enough to be part of the body that represents our country by definition. I am truly honoured." (svsport.it, 21 Feb 2021)
OTHER ACTIVITIES In 2019 he co-founded the Elite Water Polo Camp in Italy with national teammate Stefano Luongo. The camp offers children the chance to train with elite water polo players. (elitewaterpolocamp.com, 25 Nov 2019)
OTHER ROLES In 2021 he was named member of the board of the Doria Nuoto Loano club in Italy. (Instagram profile, 15 Nov 2021; ivg.it, 13 Nov 2021) |
Sporting philosophy / motto |
"I don't give up. I have never been a talented player, but I have always made up for it with tenacity." (svsport.it, 21 Feb 2021) |
Olympic Games |
Rank |
Year |
Venue |
Event |
Result |
7 |
2021 |
Tokyo, JPN |
Team |
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3 |
2016 |
Rio de Janeiro, BRA |
Team |
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2 |
2012 |
London, ENG |
Team |
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World Championship |
Rank |
Year |
Venue |
Event |
Result |
1 |
2019 |
Gwangju, KOR |
Team |
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6 |
2017 |
Budapest, HUN |
Team |
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4 |
2015 |
Kazan, RUS |
Team |
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4 |
2013 |
Barcelona, ESP |
Team |
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1 |
2011 |
Shanghai, CHN |
Team |
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11 |
2009 |
Rome, ITA |
Team |
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European Championship |
Rank |
Year |
Venue |
Event |
Result |
6 |
2020 |
Budapest, HUN |
Team |
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6 |
2016 |
Belgrade, SRB |
Team |
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3 |
2014 |
Budapest, HUN |
Team |
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4 |
2012 |
Eindhoven, NED |
Team |
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2 |
2010 |
Zagreb, CRO |
Team |
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