Julia Ituma recently celebrated her 18th birthday (October 8, 2004), yet her impressive list of achievements already boasts a European Championship gold medal and an MVP award. This talented Italian opposite hitter spearheaded her team to claim the trophy last summer during the #EuroVolleyU19W, subsequently earning her the recognition as the Most Valuable Player. Ituma showcased her prowess across eight matches (27 sets), accumulating an impressive 116 points, averaging 4.3 points per set. In the thrilling Grand Final against Serbia, which ended 3-2, she scored 21 points with a notable 43% efficiency. Now, she eagerly anticipates making her mark in the Italian League, where she competes for Igor Gorgonzola Novara. As a former player for Club Italia, Julia Ituma is poised to become the next significant talent in the world of volleyball – it`s time to get acquainted with her journey!
The Beginning of a Journey
Whether by destiny or a fortunate turn of events, volleyball discovered Julia quite unexpectedly. Owing to her naturally tall stature (currently 191 cm), she gravitated towards the sport in the sixth grade, having previously explored basketball.
Going Professional
Shortly after joining Club Italia, Ituma began to realize that a career as a professional volleyball player was within her grasp. She shared her insights:
“I observed all the players there – elite athletes – doing something I also loved, and in which, according to those more knowledgeable than me, I could become quite good. So, I decided to dedicate myself wholeheartedly to it, and I suppose we’ll see how it unfolds.”
Julia Ituma
National Team Success
The summer of 2022 proved exceptionally successful for Julia and her national teammates. Their journey began with a victory at the European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) in Slovakia, a triumph they swiftly followed by achieving their next major goal: lifting the #EuroVolleyU19W trophy.
Club Aspirations
Ituma is diligently accumulating experience at one of Italy`s most prestigious clubs, Igor Volley Novara. She conscientiously seizes every opportunity to learn and enhance her skills on the court. She articulated her philosophy:
“Here in Novara, I am once again the one with much to learn and much to prove. They are placing a great deal of trust in me, and now it’s up to me to show that it’s warranted. One of my primary objectives is personal growth – always remaining open to new opportunities, continuously learning, and improving myself. I want to express my gratitude to the staff; I am confident they have much to offer. I am also learning a great deal from the players – both from my teammates and from others, I am discovering and will continue to discover many new ideas for the game.”
Julia Ituma
Forging Her Own Path
Ituma doesn`t seek inspiration from any particular player. Instead, her ambition is to cultivate her own distinctive identity and leave her unique, indelible mark on the sport.
Finley Blackwood