“The most special thing about being here is having our opponents cheering us on during games.” For Sonia Ciboldi, camaraderie goes hand in hand with competition Italy edges Serbia 2–1 and enters the race for fifth place on the Special Olympics Unified Volleyball World Cup Poland 2025.
Photo by Christel Saneh
Spikes, serves and smiles
Sonia’s volleyball journey began in Agrate, Italy and continued in the city of Monza, where she honed her technical skills in setting, shooting and teamwork.
Photo by Christel Saneh
“She is physically slim and petite, and she may not look like a typical volleyball athlete, but her energy and warmth make her a central presence,” Sonia’s teammates shared.
Speaking about her love for the game, Sonia said: “I’m working on my overhand serve and receiving long shots, and I hope to peak more often; it’s my favorite move and I’d like to do it more often.
Sonia is talking lively after an intense match against Serbia and her smile is enigmatic.
She explains how volley-ball has taught her focus, strategy and patience, and how she enjoys seeing how every little improvement makes the team stronger.
In addition to technique, she also appreciates volleyball because of the community:
“I love volleyball because it’s an interdependent sport and while the sport itself is important to me, I love hanging out with my teammates afterwards and spending time with friends. Eat some pizza, you know?” she ends with a laugh.
Living and learning
At the age of 33, Sonia reached the World Cup after a life marked by perseverance. She lives with fibromatosis type 1, an inherited genetic disorder. Unfortunately, she lost her father a few years ago and now her mother and younger brother live in a nursing home in Italy, from where they proudly cheer her on. Sonia manages her parental home alone, while occasionally working as a janitor at a school.
Photo by Christel Saneh
“Living alone has been an opportunity for me to grow and learn empathy because I can help others in my situation,” she explains. “It’s a challenge, but it makes me more aware of how I can support others, both on and off the field.”
Triumph at the Court
Italy’s 2-1 victory over Serbia at the World Cup on day three of the competition is both a team achievement and a personal milestone for Sonia.
Photo by Iñaki Esnaola
Her call-up to the national Unified team came as a surprise, but was a testament to her enthusiasm.
“Wearing the Italian jersey in Katowice feels like a validation of years of effort. I always strive for a smile and a fierce determination within myself,” she says. “But volleyball has taught me never to give up. We always say: the game isn’t over until the last ball has been dropped.”
Heart on her sleeve
Photo by Adam Nurkiewicz
The World Cup has also shown Sonia the power of care and support that others admire in her.
“It’s very emotional to be here because even though my family is not there, the other teams cheer us on when we play,” she reveals through happy tears.
“We’re competing against them, but they’re still cheering for us. That feeling – knowing everyone respects and supports each other – is unforgettable.”
Inclusion in action
One of Sonia’s World Cup coaches, Eleonora Ferrari, said: “Leading Team Italia has been an incredible experience,” highlighting how unified competition promotes growth for both athletes and partners. “This is about more than just results. It’s about giving every athlete the opportunity to grow and connect.”
Sonia’s journey, from tough personal challenges to representing Special Olympics Italy on the world stage, reminds us that the most meaningful victories often come from small acts of courage, and of course, from a bad peak.
Photo by Christel Saneh
“Being here at the World Cup makes it clear to me that I would like to have more opportunities to compete, and especially to improve my ability to interact with others, especially people from different countries and cultures.”
Watch for more action from Sonia and Team Italy today, October 8, as the World Cup enters its final day of competition, battling for fifth place against Namibia. The prize and closing ceremony will follow at 4:00 PM CET!
You can watch the finals, closing and awards ceremonies live on the Special Olympics Poland YouTube channel: Special Olympics Poland – YouTube.
Follow our dedicated web page for the Special Olympics Unified Volleyball World Cup throughout the tournament for the full schedule and results, news and seven other athlete stories from across our region.
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