Hungary and Ukraine take the first gold medals 

The Cadet and Junior World Championships 2013 began in Poreč, Croatia yesterday with the preliminary rounds for the Cadet Men’s Sabre and Women’s Foil events, which took place in the Inter Sport arena.  Events moved to the Zatika stadium for the round of 32 onwards.

Cadet Men’s Sabre 

Three Brits joined a field of 78 for the individual event.  In the first round Amsalem and Webb both won four out of their five fights whilst Deary dropped three of his five fights.  All progressed to the round of 64 where Amsalem beat Godlewski (POL) 15-14, Deary knocked out Jung (KOR) 15-10 and Webb progressed 15-14 against Olmedo (ESP).  In the round of 32 Webb faced team-mate Amsalem and in a tight fight eventually took the victory 15-11, whilst Luchetti (ARG) beat Deary 15-13.  In the round of 16 Webb narrowly lost 15-13 to the number one seed, Voronov (UKR). 

Both semi-finals were one-sided affairs with Voronov (RUS) beating Gert (GER) 15-6 and Nikovau (BLR) taking Lecci (ITA) out 15-5.  Voronov won the title in spectacular fashion.  He took the fight into the break, 8-5, with a beautiful and entertainingly executed second-intention parry riposte and then claimed the gold medal, 15-10 with a flamboyant low line parry riposte.

GB Individual Placings:  Webb 12^th, Amsalem 20^th & Deary 31^st.

 

Full Individual Results Here 

Cadet Women’s Foil

There were two British fencers in this event joining a field of 73.  Both Fihosy (V5D1) and Chart (V3D3) progressed to the round of 64.  There Fihosy beat Schreiber (SWE) 15-10 but Chart was beaten 15—11 by Partridge (USA).  In the round of 32 Fihosy also faced Partridge (USA) and the American proved to be the thorn in Great Britain’s side, winning 15-11.  In the semi-finals, Schmel-Mesteri (HUN) came from behind to beat Cecchini (BRA) 15-13 and Massialas (USA) held on in a non-combativity extra minute to bear Cipressa (ITA) 14-11.  An intriguing final followed with the much taller Massialas looking the strong favourite.  However Schmel-Mesteri fought an intelligent and tactically masterful fight to lead 13-6 at one point.  A promising rally from Massialas led to everyone thinking that she might pull off one of the comebacks of all time but the minute break stopped her in her tracks and Schmel-Mesteri took the World Championships title 15-11.

GB Individual Placings:  Fihosy 18^th and Chart 43^rd.

Full Individual Results Here

 

Tomorrow will see the conclusion of the Men’s and Women’s Cadet Epee events which began today.