Encouraged by his high school physical education teacher, he took up rowing after joining the nautical club of Castellamare di Stabia. In just a few years he was able to emerge on the international scene, claiming his first World Championship medal with the Italian eights, bronze in the junior event in 2009. However, his standout year was undoubtedly 2013, during which he won the Under-23 World title and more importantly triumphed in the coxless pair at the Senior World Championships, on the same Korean waters where the Abbagnale brothers were crowned Olympic champions in 1988. If it was just a coincidence or a sign of destiny, all will be revealed at Copacabana's Lagoa Stadium.