The San Marino Cup “Trofeo Marino Ercolani Casadei” took place on 11th October 2025 with more than 60 athletes from several European countries and regions of Italy, confirming the event’s steady growth and its role on the weightlifting calendar.
The San Marino Weightlifting Federation delivered an efficiently run competition noted for organization and hospitality. The program featured the return of Belen Giacomone after a year of maternity leave, personal bests from Marco Cupi and Cecilia Basaglia, and confident performances by emerging athletes Davide and Greta Muccioli.
San Marino Federation President Danilo Bulzoni stated: “Participation from multiple European countries shows this memorial is now a regular and well-regarded fixture. San Marino weightlifting is in a positive phase. Our experienced athletes are improving their personal bests, and the younger group is progressing well.”
Bulzoni also noted that San Marino lifters will compete at an international tournament in Switzerland at the end of October.
The event paid tribute to Marino Ercolani Casadei, former EWF General Secretary.
Dr. Astrit Hasani, President of the European Weightlifting Federation, addressed participants: “Dear friends, colleagues, athletes, and members of the weightlifting family,
Today, we come together not just to remember a colleague, but to honor a dear friend Marino Ercolani Casadei. Marino was the heart of European weightlifting. As our former General Secretary, he gave everything to this sport his time, his wisdom, and above all, his passion for weightlifting. He believed in progress and in science. Even though he is no longer with us, his spirit lives on in every lift, and in the work of those who carry his legacy forward. Now, his close friends Danilo and Francesco, with the strong support of our outstanding General Secretary Filippo, are continuing his legacy and are developing San Marino federation. I’m glad that each year this memorial is getting bigger and bigger. We miss you, Marino. Thank you for everything. Rest in peace”.
The 2025 edition combined competitive results with a respectful commemoration of Marino Ercolani Casadei’s legacy.
Mr. Marino Ercolani Casadei was founder, President, and Honorary President of the San Marino Weightlifting Federation. From 1991 to 2016, he was the General Secretary and/or Treasurer of the European Weightlifting Federation.
As a manager, he served on the Board of the FILPJ (Italian Weightlifting and Judo Federation) for three Olympic mandates, was a member of the San Marino Olympic Committee Executive Board, participated in the Moscow Olympics with judo, and then as a weightlifting ITO in 1984, 1988, and 1992 Olympic Games.
He was active and contributed to the development of sports in San Marino, including judo, gymnastics, wrestling, and athletics.
He was a post-stamp collector with a passion for weightlifting motives, and his collection is most likely the largest in the world.
Marino was the author of numerous sports publications, but his true passion was weightlifting. He has written numerous articles and books. For his commitment and his determination in constantly trying to innovate the sport of weightlifting, the IOC awards him with the “Pier De Coubertin Medals” for his extraordinary responsibility and dedication. For the same reason, Marino Ercolani Casadei was awarded the Gold Star for Sporting Merit by the CONI (Italian Olympic Committee) last September. Marino Ercolani Casadei was inducted into the IWF Weightlifting Hall of Fame in 2004, and was unanimously confirmed the IWF Gold Collar, the highest award that can be given. In 2016, Marino received a Gold Collar from the EWF.