In the 1930s Ciro Verratti was an Italian fencer and foil specialist. He won World titles (individual and team) between 1928-35, also winning the 1939 Italian title. The high point of his career was the team foil gold medal at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. In 1937, Verratti starred in the movie “Il Corsaro nero,” directed by Amleto Palermi, where Verratti played alongside his girlfriend and fencer Ada Biagini, and several other well-known Italian movie stars.
Along with his sporting activities, Verratti began working as a sports journalist and in 1961 became special correspondent of Corriere della Sera where he wrote mostly on cycling, especially about the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France. In 1971 Verratti was involved in a car accident at the end of the 14th stage of the Giro, and he died about a month later.
Italy