Sante Ceccherini

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameSante Lorenzo Minotti•Ceccherini
Used nameSante•Ceccherini
Born15 November 1863 in Incisa in Val d'Arno, Figline e Incisa Valdarno, Firenze (ITA)
Died9 August 1932 in Pisa, Pisa (ITA)
NOC Italy
Medals OG
Gold 0
Silver 1
Bronze 0
Total 1

Biography

Sante Ceccherini was an Italian Army General and fencer who was awarded three silver medals for military valor, in addition to his Olympic silver medal. Entered into Military School at only 15 years-of-age, he continued his studies at the Modena Academy, coming out as a second lieutenant in 1884 and then serving with the Bersaglieri Corps up to World War I.

Ceccherini was a capable fencer. He won the Italian sabre title in 1897, which earned him promotion to Captain. He was later promoted to Major in 1910. He competed at the 1908 London Olympics where he won silver in the team sabre event.

After his active fencing career, despite being almost 50-years-old, in 1912 he asked to serve in the Italian-Turkish war between the Kingdom of Italy and the Ottoman Empire. He commanded a battalion of the Bersaglieri regiment and received a silver and bronze medal for military valor. During World War I he was the commander of the 12th Bersaglieri Regiment, asserting himself during the Second Battle of Isonzo, and was awarded two more silver medals and was promoted to General.

In October 1922 he participated in the March on Roma, alongside the Tuscany legion. Ceccherini was also a Freemason with the Masonic lodge La Concordia of Firenze from 1905 and was considered among the most important Freemasons in the Royal Army.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1908 Summer Olympics Fencing ITA Sante Ceccherini
Épée, Individual, Men (Olympic) =4 p5 r1/4
Sabre, Individual, Men (Olympic) DNF p2 r3/4
Sabre, Team, Men (Olympic) Italy 2 Silver