Giuseppe Sinigaglia

Sinigaglia was born at Como as the son of Antonio Sinigaglia and his wife Antoinette. His parents ran a restaurant, but his father emigrated to South America and never returned.^[2] He was educated at Gaius Plinius Technical Institute and was a member of Pool Comense 1872 until 1903 when he was expelled for indiscipline. He then joined Canottieri Lario. In 1907 he won the Italian championship in a coxed pair. In 1911 he was Italian and European Champion in the single scull^[3] and in the double scull with Teodoro Mariani.^[4] In 1914, Sinigaglia won the Diamond Challenge Sculls at Henley beating Colin Stuart in the final.^[5]

After the outbreak of World War I, Sinigaglia volunteered into the Royal Italian Army and was assigned to the 2nd Regiment Granatieri di Sardegna Mechanized Brigade. After a period of training he took part in the offensive against Monte Sabotino and Monte Podgora. In 1916 he was promoted to lieutenant and fought in the Battle of Asiago. He later took part in the Sixth Battle of the Isonzo at Monte San Michele and Gorizia. On 9 August 1916, Sinigaglia led his men in an attack on Hill 4 of Monte San Michele. He was hit by Austrian fire and was transported the hospital at San Vito al Torre where he died the next day.^[2]

Sinigaglia was awarded the Silver Medal of Military Valor. The stadium in Como was named in his honour.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Giuseppe Sinigaglia.

• Maurizio Casarola, Lo chiamavano Sina, Nordpress Edizioni, 2007.
• Mario Bazzi, Il gigante buono, Tipografia Commerciale Prini & C., Como.