Italian Team Championship of Ruzzolone Throwing

The Italian Team Championship of Ruzzolone Throwing in Sestola

Every year, at the beginning of summer, the Municipality of Sestola, in the heart of the Modenese Apennines in Emilia-Romagna, becomes the capital of one of Italy's oldest and most characteristic traditional sports: ruzzolone throwing. The Team Championship attracts hundreds of throwers from various provinces in central and northern Italy to the Val di Sasso tracks, in an event that combines sports competition, popular culture, and mountain conviviality.

What is Ruzzolone

Ruzzolone is a specialty recognized by the FIGeST, the Italian Federation of Traditional Games and Sports. The equipment is a wooden disc that resembles a large cheese wheel in shape, weighing a few kilograms. The player makes it spin and throws it by wrapping it in a cotton cord, trying to cover the course with the fewest throws possible. Competitions take place along roads and natural paths several hundred meters long, full of curves, slopes, and obstacles that test the precision and power of the throwers.

The Val di Sasso Tracks

The competition is held on the "treppi", as the ruzzolone tracks are called in the area, located in Val di Sasso, along via Scoltenna in Sestola. These are tracks that extend for hundreds of meters along the road, where athletes compete in categories A, B, and C. The natural setting of the Apennines, amidst woods and ridges, makes the event particularly evocative.

A Tradition Rooted in the Modenese Apennines

The province of Modena boasts one of the largest communities of ruzzolone practitioners in Italy, with dozens of active sports groups and numerous enthusiasts. In Sestola, the event is now an early summer classic, organized by the Gruppo Tiratori Ruzzolone Fondovalle with the patronage of the Municipality of Sestola, the Province of Modena, the Emilia-Romagna Region, and CONI. In addition to the competitive aspect, the event is a true popular festival: during the competition days, a refreshment point is available with specialties from the Modenese mountains.

A Weekend of Sport and Tradition

The typical format includes three days: the arrival and gathering of athletes with the opening ceremony, the qualifying rounds by category, and finally the final stages with the awards ceremony. It's an opportunity to discover an ancient popular sport, experience the authentic atmosphere of an Apennine village, and taste the flavors of local cuisine.