Vittoria Bianco

  • Date of birth

    October  7th 1995

  • Region

    Puglia

  • Prostheses

    Right leg above knee

  • Sports discipline

    Swimming

  • art4sport memeber

    Since 2019

“Nec Recisa Recedit (not even broken backwards)”

Vittoria’s story

Vittoria was born in Putignano (Bari) on October the 7th 1995.

In 2016 she was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma on her right thigh. After undergoing surgery, numerous attempts were made to save her limb, but the wound would not heal. After seven months, Vittoria, together with the doctors, decided that the best solution would be amputation.

This certainly shocked her at first, but she was aware that everything possible had been done to save the limb. Vittoria understood that the difficulties she was facing were more mental than physical and so she started to face the situation with patience and determination, especially thanks to the affection of her family and those closest to her. One word that sums up her personality is tenacity.

Sport has always been a part of her life, and Vittoria has been swimming since she was six years old.

After her amputation, she decided to think of everything that was happening to her as a rebirth and realized that the best way forward was through sport, particularly swimming, which had always been her companion. The sportsperson she most admires is Michael Phelps because he is the most successful Olympic swimmer.

Vittoria became aware of art4sport through a family friend who introduced her to Teresa, the President of the Association, during her stay in hospital. Her contact with the Association has given her greater self-confidence, allowing her to face difficulties with more courage and making her understand that she is not alone and that with commitment and dedication great goals can be achieved. Vittoria has been part of art4sport since October 2019: the Association will be able to support her in her renewed sporting journey.

Vittoria’s sports achievements

European Championships in Madeira (May 2021):

  • 50 mt freestyle: 7th
  • 100 mt freestyle: 4th + italian record
  • 400 mt freestyle: 5th
  • 4×100 mixed relay: bronze
  • 4×100 freestyle relay: gold

Absolute Italian Championships in Naples (July 2021):

  • 100 mt freestyle: category gold with 1:06,62
  • 400 mt freestyle: category gold with 4:56′,61 + italian record and absolute bronze

Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games – Japan (august 2021):

  • 400 mt freestyle: heat with 4:57.51
  • 4×100 freestyle relay: gold medal with 4’24″85
  • 100 mt freestyle: heat with 1:07.32

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