Count Leonardo Bonzi was a man of great spirit, inventiveness and sporting versatility on several different fronts. He graduated in law and economics, and in 1924 achieved his first sporting success by participating in the two-man bobsleigh at the Chamonix Olympics. As a tennis player he won the Italian doubles title in 1929 with Clemente Serventi and the mixed doubles with Lucia Valerio. Bonzi played tennis for Italy 14 times, with one appearance in the Davis Cup.
Bonzi was also a mountaineer and explorer and led expeditions to Baktiari (Iran) and Greenland, as well as excursions to the Atlas and Himalayan mountain ranges. However, his name is best associated with some great aviation experiences including flying across the Sahara desert and setting world speed records. Bonzi was awarded a Gold Medal by the Italian Olympic Committee in honor of his achievements. Bonzi was also a director and film producer as a result of his marriage to the actress Clara Calamai. In 2006, the Leonardo Bonzi Museum was inaugurated in San Michele di Ripalta Cremasca.
Italy