Kristjan Archer overcomes old foes at Men’s Junior Foil Event in London

International fencing returned to London for the first time since the Olympic Games in the form of the Eden Cup.  This men’s junior event has become a permanent fixture on the under-20 international men’s foil circuit and 143 fencers attended this year from 26 countries. 

A 20-strong British team was down to just two by the round of 32, Kristjan Archer and Alex Tofalides.  Tofalides impressed in the first round winning all six of his matches earning himself 6^th seed and a bye through to the round of 64.  Archer started more slowly, dropping three of his five first round matches and seeded a lowly 83^rd for the round of 128.  There he faced Tsoronis (DEN) and he had clearly got into his stride demolishing the Dane 15-1.  He proceed just as comfortably through his round of 64 match beating Khazbak (EGY) 15-3.  Tofalides overcame teammate Rattan in a much closer fight that finished 15-13.  Archer was on a roll and took out Nemeth (HUN) 15-7 in the next round.  Tofalides also fought well to overcome his opponent, Schiavone (ITA) 10-7 on time.  If both fencers had won their round of 16 fights they would have met in the quarterfinal stage that would have guaranteed a British medal.  Sadly it was not to be.  Despite his having to take an injury timeout, Archer won his fight against Doerr (GER) 15-11 but Tofalides fell 15-9 to Matyas (HUN).

Archer faced Matyas (HUN) and even though he put up a great fight he finished on the losing end of a 15-11 scoreline.  The event was won in style by Choupenitch (CZE) who beat Franco (ITA) 15-8 in the final.  The bronze medals went to Matyas (HUN) and Rosatelli (ITA).

After the event Archer said; “I am generally pleased with today’s result and feel I have now overcome some past demons.  I know not only that I can improve but also what I need to work on in my training to achieve that improvement.”

His coach and former Olympic fencer, Pierre Harper, added, “It was a good result where Kristjan served up a couple of good revenge fights.  Doerr (GER) beat him in the quarterfinal at the World Championships in Jordan, so it was good to get revenge.”

GB PLACINGS: Archer 8^th, Tofalides 9^th, Birch 44^th, Hendrie 46^th, Rattan 54^th, Bailey 63^rd, Lloyd 71^st, Brosnan 79^th, Rai 80^th, Fitton 91^st, Schlindwein 99^th, Woollard 101^st, Clarke 103^rd, Chu 104^th, Donovan 110^th, Minott 121^st, St John 132^nd, Robinson 137^th, Watson 138^th, Corlett 143^rd. 

Full Results

(Front page image courtesy of Graham Morrison.)