Riccardo Marchesini (Vigevano, Italy, 3 July 1963) is an Italian canoer and paracanoer, gold medalist at the 2010 World Cup.

He then started canoeing as a sport and lost 60 kg (130 lb) in less than 9 months.

He raced against non-handicapped sportsmen on the major rivers of Europe.

He is a canoe trainer, also entitled to teach to handicapped people, a certified scuba diver and lifeguard.

In 2012 he was decorated with the CONI Gold medal for sport's merits,[1] as he is the only amputee to participate in the marathon Pirano - Venice, a 100 km (62 mi) non-stop race lasting 9 hours and 45 minutes He is a member of the Italian Paracanoe National Team.