Gabriella Pozzuolo

Gabriella Pozzuolo was an Italian gymnast in the 1960s. In her youth she suffered from asthma and, at the suggestion of her doctor, started attending a gym at the age of 9. After few years, her asthma passed and her passion for gymnastics led her to the national team, which had been rejuvenated after the 1960 Olympics in Roma.

After the non-participation of the women’s team at 1964 Olympics, three athletes entered the competition four years later. Gabriella, married since February 1968 to the Olympic champion Franco Menichelli, was among them with a 64th place overall in the all-around. A multiple Italian champion, her brightest moment was her victory in 1964 at Biella, but this result was not enough for her to make the trip to Tokyo. She and her husband were for many years gymnastics teachers in schools and gym owners.