Today we’re having a chat with Rudy Mesaroli
Born in 1989, Rudy Mesaroli is now one of the Head Judges at Project Judges, but his journey began long before that.
It’s 2010, in Trani, Puglia. Always passionate about sports, Rudy begins his journey in the world of Functional Training, then enters CrossFit in 2014. That same year he earns his first two levels and opens his own box, CrossFit Trani.
Driven by curiosity and a desire to grow, he keeps studying: he completes all the CrossFit Specialty Courses and at the same time specializes with FIPE, becoming a coach and personal trainer.
The beginning in the world of judging
The first step came almost as a game.
In 2014 Rudy decides to take his first Judges Course, starting to take part in Italian competitions as a judge. At the time, many events were run through open calls, and the system was still barely structured.
After discovering a real passion for this role, he gets in touch with Project Judges in 2016 thanks to Marco Masullo. From there, he begins a journey that will lead him, over the years, to grow and eventually become Head Judge.
A key moment? Joining the video review department, where he was noticed for his precision. That’s where he met Morra, a central figure in his journey, whom he jokingly calls “the Dark Lord.”
Growth: from Judge to Head Judge
The first official competition with Project Judges came in 2017, at CrossFitness Beach Pietrasanta.
What immediately strikes Rudy is the team spirit: people who sacrifice time, work and family for a shared passion.
Because yes, the Judge is a volunteer.
And precisely for this reason, finding an organization that could guarantee meals, water, and accommodation was, at the time, a real revolution.
Over the years Rudy has taken on several roles:
- Judge
- Team Leader
- Assistant Head Judge
- Head Judge
Until he became a key figure in competitions, even at the international level.
The challenges of judging
One of the main challenges? Adapting.
Judging standards can vary from country to country. A concrete example is the handstand walk:
in Italy you’re required to show control on the finish line, while abroad it’s often allowed to “dive” over the line with both hands.
This means putting aside your own habits and quickly adapting to new criteria.
A skill that, as Rudy points out, develops only through experience.
What drives someone to travel the world
The answer is simple: curiosity and a desire to learn.
Every competition is an opportunity to compare notes with other professionals in the field, a constant exchange of knowledge and different approaches.
From international competitions you learn new ways of managing the team, communicating and organizing.
And then there’s a key human aspect:
Project Judges has become a second family for Rudy.
The role of the Judge: much more than a No-Rep
There’s a big misunderstanding in the CrossFit world:
the judge is not there to hand out no-reps.
They’re there to validate reps.
In the end, a workout is done by two people:
- the athlete
- the judge
The athlete performs the movement according to a standard.
The judge checks and validates it.
The no-rep? It’s just a bump in the road.
What really makes the difference is feedback:
a simple “Lower!” during a squat can immediately improve the athlete’s performance and make the judging transparent for the audience as well.
Fairness, respect and ongoing education
Project Judges bases its approach on three pillars:
- ongoing education
- mutual respect between athlete and judge
- consistency in judging
“When in doubt, it’s a no-rep” is an idea Rudy completely rejects.
There’s no such thing as “almost”.
Either the standard is met, or it isn’t.
And it’s precisely this clarity that guarantees the fairness of a competition.
Pride and community
Outside of competitions, Rudy finds one of his greatest satisfactions in his own box.
During his absences, the athletes organize themselves: they run classes, respect the space and carry on with the programming.
That’s what, he says, truly makes him proud.
A community that works, grows and supports itself.
Conclusion
Judging is much more than a technical role.
It’s passion, responsibility, continuous growth and, above all, respect for the sport and for the athletes.
And as Rudy Mesaroli’s journey shows, it’s also a path made of experiences, relationships and total dedication.
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