[3] Soon after finishing studies in Bologna, Petrillo joined the Italy national five-a-side football team for the visually impaired.

[3][2][5][6][7][8][9] Petrillo has noted she has lost strength since starting feminizing hormone replacement therapy, which is intended to suppress testosterone and raise estrogen levels in the body.

[10] Petrillo's story will be narrated through a movie, currently in development, named 5 nanomoli-Il sogno olimpico di una donna trans.

[3][8] In 2020, she started officially competing in the women's category,[3][2][5][6][7][9] and on 25 April 2021, set a new national record on the 400 meters T13 class, then improved in June of the same year.

[11][14][15] In March 2023, Petrillo withdrew from competing in the World Masters Indoor Athletic Championships on account of anti-trans threats and concerns for her safety.