Ricky Petrucciani (Italian pronunciation: [petrutˈtʃaːni]; born 30 June 2000) is a Swiss sprinter specialising in the 400 metres.[1] He won a gold medal at the 2021 European U23 Championships and a silver medal at the 2022 European Championships in the 400m category.[2] He also reached the semifinals of the 2020 Olympics.
 Petrucciani (centre) in 2023 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | 30 June 2000 Locarno, Ticino, Switzerland |
| Education | Collegio Papio |
| Height | 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) |
| Weight | 76 kg (168 lb) |
| Sport | |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Sport | Athletics |
| Event | 400 metres |
| Club | LC Zürich |
| Coached by | Flavio Zberg |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Personal bests |
|
Medal record | |
Early life and background
editRicky Petrucciani was born on 30 June 2000 in Locarno, Switzerland to a Brazilian mother and a Swiss father.
He began his athletic career in 2015 when he decided to switch from playing football to athletics. He explained the reason was because he "wanted to train for [himself] and not for a team, [he] wanted to achieve [his] results and not those of a team.” [3]
He started working with Flavio Zberg in 2017 and transferred clubs so that he could train with LC Zürich. His father, Maurizio, acts as his manager.[4] Ricky graduated from Collegio Papio and serves as an ambassador for the Ascona-Locarno region.[5]
Career
edit2016—2019
editPetrucciani claimed several national titles as a junior. He competed in the 400 metres at the 2016 Swiss U18 Championships, came in first place, and was named the champion for that year.
The following year, he collected six more titles at the 2017 Swiss U18 Championships for: the indoor 60 metres, outdoor 100 metres, indoor and outdoor 200 metres, and indoor and outdoor 400 metres.
He added yet another national title to his record in the 100 metres at the 2018 Swiss U20 Championships. He earned two extra titles in the 100 metres and 200 metres at the 2019 Swiss U20 Championships.
2021
editHe earned a gold medal in the 400 metres at the 2021 European U23 Championships, where he set a new championship record and a personal best of 45.02 that still stands to this day. He also ran the second leg of the 4 x 400 m relay, however, his team did not finish because of a mishap between the Dutch and British athletes that made the third Swiss runner trip during the race. The Swiss lost their lead within moments.[6]
2023
editHe was selected for the 2023 World Championships and ran the third leg of the mixed 4 x 400 m relay. But, ultimately, the Swiss team failed to advance to the final round. Later, he withdrew from his individual event in the 400 metres due to a hamstring problem that had not healed from the previous day's relay race. He did not want to injure himself, as well, ahead of Weltklasse Zürich, the Galà dei Castelli, and the 2024 Olympics.[7]
Achievements
editPersonal bests
edit- 60 metres indoor – 6.68 (Magglingen 2023)
- 100 metres – 10.24 (+0.2 m/s, Bern 2021)
- 200 metres – 20.72 (+0.3 m/s, Bern 2021)
- 200 metres indoor – 21.50 (Magglingen 2021)
- 400 metres – 45.02 (Tallinn 2021) CR
- 400 metres indoor – 46.27 (Magglingen 2023)
International competitions
editNational titles
edit- Swiss Athletics Championships (3)
- 400 metres — 2019, 2020, 2021
- Swiss Indoor Athletics Championships (4)
- 60 metres — 2022
- 400 metres — 2018, 2019, 2020
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Ricky Petrucciani at World Athletics
- ^ "Européens multisports: Ricky Petrucciani, formidable, s'offre l'argent sur 400m".
- ^ Adey, Oliver. "Ricky Petrucciani sprints to silver". Retrieved 21 August 2023.
- ^ "Ricky Petrucciani, a rising star in track and field events". Retrieved 21 August 2023.
- ^ "Profile - Ricky Petrucciani". Ricky Petrucciani. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
- ^ "Joy, frustration and a great result at the end in Tallinn". Swiss Athletics. Swiss Athletics. 11 July 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
- ^ "Four Swiss athletes are happy about qualifying for the semi-finals". Swiss Athletics. 20 August 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
