Pierina Borsani

Pierina Borsani represented the club of her native city, the Cotonificio Cantoni of Castellanza. Despite no coach and little support, in a few years she reached the top in Italy, competing in the 100 and 800 metres, the 4x100 relay, shot put, javelin and discus throw. A versatile athlete, she also competed in the triathlon (100, HJ, JT) and pentathlon.

Borsani won multiple national titles – two in triathlon (1929-30), four in javelin (1927,1929.1934-35), one in shot put (1927), two in discus (1927,1931), one in pentathlon, and two in the 4x1 relay. She set two national records in the shot put, five in discus, three in javelin, and one in pentathlon. Internationally she competed at the World Games in Praha in 1933 and London in 1934 and in the Italy-France match at the Torino Mussolini Stadium on 15 July 1933, when she won both the discus and javelin.

At the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics Borsani placed 13th in the discus throw. She was also a pioneer in Italian women’s basketball and played the first match with the national team on 13 April 1930 in Nice, defeating France, 34-16. After her death, the new Sports Palace in Castellanza was named in her honor.

Personal Best: DT – 33.60 (1935).