“The most special part about being here is having our opponents cheer for us during games.” For Sonia Ciboldi, camaraderie goes hand-in-hand with competition as Italy edges Serbia 2–1 and enters the race for fifth place at the Special Olympics Unified Volleyball World Cup Poland 2025.
Photo by Christel Saneh/Christel Saneh for Special Olymp
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.
“She’s physically slim and petite, and she may not look like a typical “volleyball” athlete, but her energy and warmth make her a central presence,” shared Sonia’s teammates.
Speaking of her love for the game, Sonia shared, “I’m working on my overhand serve and on receiving long-range shots, and I hope to spike more often— it’s my favourite move, and I’d like to do it more.
Chatting after an intense match against Serbia, Sonia is lively, her smile enigmatic.
She explains how volleyball has taught her focus, strategy, and patience, and how she loves seeing how each small improvement makes the team stronger.
Beyond technique, she values volleyball for its community:
“I love volleyball because it’s an interdependent sport and while the sport itself is important to me, I love being able to hang out with my teammates after, to spend time with friends. Have a pizza, you know?” she finishes with a laugh.
Living and Learning
At 33, Sonia reached the World Cup after a life shaped by perseverance. She lives with fibromatosis type 1, a hereditary genetic condition. Sadly, 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 family home on her own, while occasionally working as a school janitor.
“Living alone has been an opportunity for me to grow and to learn empathy because I can help others in my situation” she explains. “It’s challenging, but it makes me more aware of how to support others, both on and off the court.”
Triumph on 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.
Her call-up to the national Unified squad came as a surprise but a testament to her spirit.
“Wearing the Italian jersey in Katowice, it feels like a validation of years of effort. I always strive for a smile and for fierce determination within myself,” she says.” But volleyball has taught me to never give up. We always say it: the game isn’t over until the last ball has dropped.”
Heart on Her Sleeve
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 while my family is not here, the other teams cheer for us when we play,” she reveals through happy tears.
“We compete against them, but they still cheer for us. That feeling—knowing everyone respects and supports each other—is unforgettable.”
Inclusion in Action
One of Sonia’s national coaches for the World Cup, Eleonora Ferrari, had this to share, “Leading Team Italia has been an incredible experience,” highlighting how Unified competition fosters growth for athletes and partners alike. “This is about more than results. It’s about giving every athlete the chance to grow and connect.”
Sonia’s journey, from uphill personal challenges, to representing Special Olympics Italy on the world stage, is a reminder that the most meaningful victories often come from little acts of courage, and of course, a wicked spike.
“Being here at the World Cup makes it clear to me that I would love to have more opportunities to compete, and especially to improve my ability to interact with others, especially with people from different lands and cultures.”
Tune into more action from Sonia and Team Italy today, 8 October, as the World Cup enters its final day of matches, vying for fifth place against Namibia. The Awards and Closing Ceremony will follow at 4pm CET!
You can watch the Finals and Closing and Award Ceremonies live on the Special Olympics Poland YouTube channel: Olimpiady Specjalne Polska – YouTube.
Follow our dedicated webpage 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.
