Sabrina Roppo: Professionalism That Triumphs Over the Unexpected. An interview with a rising talent in the massage world, protagonist of an unforgettable moment at the Italian Massage Contest 2026

Who is Sabrina

Introduce yourself to our readers: what's your name, how old are you, and how long have you been getting into the world of massage?

«I'm Sabrina Roppo, a 22-year-old girl who lives in Bari. I never expected to discover a passion for the world of massage and everything related to aesthetics: I wanted to do something completely different with my life, namely become a flight attendant. My second goal, though, had always been to help other people feel beautiful. Since I don't have much self-esteem myself, spreading wellbeing and making others feel good also makes me feel better on the inside. That's why a job like this is the first one I truly feel is right for me.»

How did you discover the Italian Massage Contest, and what pushed you to enter in the beginner category?

«I discovered it through my teacher, Anna Quercia, who invited me and my Academy colleagues to take part in this championship. At first I was quite hesitant, because I wasn't confident in myself or my abilities. Then, thanks to her advice and support, I convinced myself and decided to enter. So it's all thanks to her.»

Before the Competition

How did you experience the days leading up to the competition? Were you excited, nervous, thrilled?

«I was very excited, because I had never had an experience like this before and I didn't really know what I was getting into. I was also quite anxious, since I'm naturally an anxious person, but at the same time I was confident in my abilities and I felt that somehow I would make myself stand out in the championship. I know that might sound like a selfish thing to say, but it's what I truly think, and I'm someone who says what she thinks. It was, in short, a mix of emotions: anxiety, excitement, euphoria. This year, together with my colleagues, I lived it to the fullest.»

The Highlight: The Table Wheel. Tell us exactly what happened during your performance.

«What happened was that a wheel was missing from my massage table — it needed to be screwed back on. I honestly hadn't noticed at all, because I was completely focused on something else: I was doing the body assessment for the massage I was about to perform. So I was completely unaware of what was about to happen. It was a judge who noticed the problem — I don't remember his name, but I know he was of Italian origin (Massimiliano Autero) and wasn't part of the beginner jury, but of the master jury. Within about two minutes I saw several people, including judges from my own category, gathering around the foot of my table, and at that moment I honestly had no idea what was going on. I only realized it when I felt the wheel moving under the table leg, and that's when I put two and two together.»

What was your first thought in that instant? Did you hesitate at all?

«Actually, no: at that moment I wasn't thinking about the table wheel at all — I was very focused on competing, on performing the massage correctly. I believe a person's professionalism shows precisely in these small things, regardless of the level you're at — whether in the master category or the beginner one. It's a quality you can either have naturally or develop over time, and since I see myself as a very professional person, even in a delicate situation like that one, I felt it was right to keep going: to set my emotions aside and let my professionalism come through.»

How did you handle the situation technically, continuing the massage despite the table's instability?

«There was a moment when I caught my teacher's eye — she was among the people trying to fix the table. In that look, I read a clear message: "Don't worry, trust what's happening, trust the people handling it, keep doing what you know how to do." And that's exactly what I did. From a distance I couldn't quite understand what was going on, but I later found out that a Hungarian judge, Edina, had told the others that I had been professional, that I had kept going without panicking — something usually expected of someone with far more years of experience. That really surprised and struck everyone.»

Had you received any training on how to handle unexpected situations, or was it a purely instinctive reaction?

(From Sabrina's account, it emerges that this was mostly instinct rooted in her own sense of professionalism, rather than a learned procedure: the choice to stay focused on the technical execution, trusting others to handle the problem with the table.)

The Judges and the Outcome

When the judges praised your composure, how did you feel? Did you expect it?

«Judge Edina Leichter was the first person to hug me, because right after that I had an emotional breakdown. She told me that the professionalism you have shows, it's felt, and in that moment it was clearly seen.»

In your opinion, what did they appreciate most: the massage technique, how you handled the unexpected situation, or both?

«I think what they appreciated most was the fact that I stayed focused the whole time on the competition, on performing, on executing the massage correctly without losing the flow or the technique, which is the most important part. They showed me that clearly, starting with judge Edina Leichter.»

The Lesson Learned. What did this experience mean to you, both professionally and personally?

«I learned that putting yourself out there in life can lead to good results, just as it can go differently — because of course that can happen too. From this experience I understood that when it comes to performing a massage, or practicing your profession in general, you have to do it with respect, tenacity, dedication, and above all passion. Without these values, the work never comes out the way it should, and everything else suffers as a result.»

What would you say to another beginner who's afraid to compete for fear of making a mistake or struggling?

(Sabrina's message to her younger colleagues comes through clearly in her closing remarks: facing every situation with respect, tenacity, trust, and passion.)

The Future.

Will you take part in future editions? Do you already have new goals in mind?

«Yes, I love the atmosphere of these championships, I love putting myself out there, I love everything about the experience — though of course not every edition is the same, since a championship also reflects the values of the people organizing it. As for the future, I have plenty of goals, I'm a very ambitious person. My main goal is to grow professionally, both in massage and in aesthetics more broadly, though I lean mostly toward massage because I know I have the right skills. I'd love to open a massage center, maybe not in Italy, but at the same time I'm also drawn to the idea of specializing in physiotherapy and becoming a figure at a more medical level. I'm quite torn between these two paths, although in the end they could even coexist.

I'd like people to get to know the qualities I have, because often, especially in our field, you come across people who claim to be professionals but really aren't, and end up doing more harm than good. I'd like to help make sure that in Italy the massage therapist is finally recognized for what it truly is, without the superficiality it's still often viewed with today — much like what happens with the aesthetician profession. I'd really love for society to open its mind to this profession.»

Is there anyone you'd like to thank — a teacher, a mentor — who supported you along this journey?

«First of all, I want to thank myself — I say that with a bit of selfishness — because I managed to keep going even after what happened during the championship, to ask more of myself. I want to thank my parents, because without them I wouldn't be where I am today. And I want to thank my teacher, thanks to whom I opened my mind to the world of massage and was able to take part in this championship.»

Leave a final message for our magazine's readers!

«I just want to say that in life, in any field and in any situation you find yourself in, you need respect, tenacity, and trust. And above all, you need to do everything with passion, whatever it may be.»

Interview collected for our magazine. Special thanks to Sabrina Roppo for her availability and the sincerity with which she shared her experience.