National Award Sandro Mazzinghi
The work was created by Tuscan sculptor artist Mario Vincenti and is the award to be presented annually to the winner of the "PREMIO NAZIONALE ALESSANDRO MAZZINGHI" established in memory of the great boxer by the Mazzinghi family, the municipality of Pontedera and a committee of prominent journalists and writers.
The work is intended to pay tribute to the great boxer Alessandro Mazzinghi; it is a representative work of art of the world champion's sporting achievements, emphasizing Mazzinghi's symbolic value to the community and to sporting history, and is intended to recognize, support and incentivize the activities of athletes who have achieved sporting achievements of international, national, interregional and regional prestige, while maintaining a high moral and civic profile.
FIRST EDITION 2022:
"It is an immense Honor for me to receive this award named after an immense Champion of boxing, but I would define of Italian Sport, a man who is part of the Olympus of the greatest sportsmen and men of this country of ours.
I thank all the members of the committee for thinking of me as the 1st edition, I had the good fortune to know Sandro well and I consider myself lucky for that.
I thank his sons Davide and Simone and the Mayor of Pontedera Matteo Franconi."
Mario Cipollini
For the first edition of the "Premio Nazionale Alessandro Mazzinghi the work was awarded to Mario Cipollini, a great Italian cyclist, best known for being one of the most famous and charismatic sprinters in the history of road cycling.
Cipollini was nicknamed "Super Mario" because of his ability to win stages in classic stage races, such as the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France. He was one of the most prolific riders in the history of the Giro d'Italia, winning a total of 42 stages, including the points classification on several occasions. He also won the Tour de France green jersey (points classification) in 1993.
His career in road cycling has left an indelible mark on the history of Italian and international sports.
SECOND EDITION 2023:
"I have received awards from everywhere but this is important to me and I am proud to be juxtaposed with a great like Sandro Mazzinghi"
Marcello Lippi
For the second edition of the "Premio Nazionale Alessandro Mazzinghi the work was awarded to Marcello Lippi, best known for his successful coaching career both at club and international level.
The 2006 World Cup victory was the highlight of Lippi's coaching career. The Italian team under his leadership demonstrated strong cohesion and solid teamwork.
Marcello Lippi is widely respected for his knowledge of the game, his leadership, and his ability to achieve positive results at both club and international level. His career has been marked by numerous successes and he has helped define the image of Italian soccer on the world stage.
THIRD EDITION 2024:
"It’s an honor for me to receive this prestigious award on behalf of a great man like Alessandro Mazzinghi, whom I had the pleasure of knowing. I would like to thank the committee for choosing me. When David and Simone called me, I immediately accepted because of Alessandro, who we all know how he behaved in the ring and in life, a normal and simple person just like me."
Giancarlo Antognoni
For the third edition of the "Premio Nazionale Alessandro Mazzinghi the honor has been awarded to Giancarlo Antognoni, a prominent figure in Italian football.
A world champion with the Italian National Team in 1982 and an icon of Fiorentina, Antognoni is cherished for his extraordinary talent, vision of the game, and loyalty to the purple colors, which have made him a symbol of loyalty and dedication. In addition to his successes on the field, his career has always stood out for his respect toward opponents and moral integrity, values that perfectly embody the spirit of the "Alessandro Mazzinghi National Award".
The award, dedicated to those who excel and distinguish themselves in sports, celebrates not only his remarkable achievements as a player but also his contribution to promoting sports values that make him an example for future generations.
