Marcello Nizzola

Marcello Nizzola was from Genoa and became a top wrestler in both freestyle and Greco-Roman. He made his international début in 1931 when he placed third at the European Championships in bantamweight Greco. At the 1932 Olympics Nizzola lost the final to Germany’s Jakob Brendel, but not happy with the decision, Nizzola attacked Brendel in the locker room with a knife, but was fortunately stopped by a policeman before any major injuries occurred, and apparently, no charges were ever brought against Nizzola.

After his 1932 Olympic silver medal, Nizzola’s greatest title came in 1935 when he won the European Championship in freestyle bantamweight. He also competed at the Europeans in 1934, 1936, and 1937, without making the podium. Nizzola was assassinated, likely for political reasons, on 22 February 1947 when he was returning home. His son, Garibaldo later became a top international wrestler, placing second in freestyle lightweight at the 1951 World Championships, and competing in four Olympics.