Eighteen-year-old Sarah Rizea, representing the coastal region of Liguria, has been crowned Miss Italy 2026. Hailing from Vado Ligure, Rizea won over the judging panel not only with her fresh, effortless charm, but with a degree of poise and focus that sets her apart from traditional pageant contenders.
Behind the glitz of the stage lies a career built on rigorous athletic discipline. Rizea is an elite artistic swimmer, competing with the prestigious Fiamme Oro sports group and serving as a key member of the Italian National Synchronized Swimming Team. Her background brings a unique fusion of athletic precision and natural elegance to the national title.
The podium featured two equally impressive runners-up. Twenty-one-year-old Michela Meli - Miss Lazio and a senior in Nutritional Sciences - took second place, while Sara Genova, a 25-year-old university student and competitive volleyball player from Calabria, placed third. This year’s pageant highlighted a modern vision of Italian beauty defined by ambition, drive, and athletic excellence.