They were both taught foil and sabre in the classical Italian school of swordsmanship by their father, Beppe Nadi, who believed the épée to be an "undisciplined" weapon and refused to teach it.

He also won a silver medal in individual sabre, second only to his brother Nedo Nadi.

[1] He even made a film appearance himself, as a bodyguard in To Have and Have Not (1944), starring Humphrey Bogart.

Nadi died in his sleep, at his home in Los Angeles, California, on 10 November 1965.

The duel ended very quickly as Nadi struck Bottino's hand, causing him to drop the weapon.