Tianjin Women’s Sabre Grand Prix, Marseilles Women’s Foil Grand Prix, Buenos Aires Men’s Epee World Cup, Havana Women’s Epee Grand Prix and Men’s Foil World Cup
Davis & Hudson Finish the Senior Circuit in Style
The last weekend of the senior World Cup and Grand Prix circuit was a busy one with no less than five tournaments taking place across three continents.
Women’s Foil Grand Prix – Marseilles
Four British fencers joined a field of 97 at the final women’s foil event on the senior circuit. Cook (V1D5) and Sibert (V1D5) did not make the first round cut but Sheppard (V3D3) and Troiano (V2D4) did. Unfortunately they drew each other in the preliminary knockout stage where Sheppard prevailed 14-11. In the round of 64 she faced world number 10, Ysaora Thibus (FRA) and quickly fell four hits behind under immense pressure from the French fencer. Sheppard started pushing her opponent back and levelled at four a piece. An opportunistic strike from Thibus saw her go into the first break 5-4 up. Sheppard continued to apply the pressure in the second period and went 6-5 up but Thibus went into the second break 11-9 up after two big calls. Thibus wasted no time in the final period and went on to win 15-9.
The event was won by Prescod (USA) who defeated Golubytskyi (GER) 15-12 in the final. Erba (ITA) and Maitrejean (FRA) took home the bronze medals.
GB individual placings: Sheppard 59th, Troiano 71st, Cook 81st & Sibert 89th.
Men’s Epee World Cup – Buenos Aires
Just one British fencer took part in this event – US based Jack Hudson who joined a field of 149. He had a great start winning five of his six first round fights including an impressive 3-0 victory over Confalonieri (ITA). This earned him a bye directly into the round of 64 where he faced Brunold (SUI). In a tight fight he sneaked through 8-7 on time. Next up was the number four seed for the tournament Fernandez (VEN) but this did not faze Hudson. Fencing potentially the best match of his career so far Hudson won 15-12. In the round of 16 he faced Szenyi (HUN) and in another tight match Hudson progressed 15-14 to make the top 8. There he took on Zawrotniak (POL) and was edged out 15-14 to finish eighth, grabbing 14 World ranking points and moving him into the top 100 in the World at just 19 years old. Speaking a few days after the event, Hudson said; “This was my second senior International event and on both occasions I learned so much from being able to watch and compete; gaining invaluable experience.”
The event was won by Limardo (VEN) who beat Beran (CZE) 15-14 in the gold medal match. The bronze medals went to Ackermann (GER) and Zawrotniak (POL).
In the team event, which Great Britain did not enter, Switerland took the gold medal, beating Hungary 41-40 in the final. Venezuela beat the USA 45-32 to take the bronze medal.
GB individual placings: Hudson 8th.
Men’s Foil World Cup – Havana
Six British fencers joined a field of 131 in the last men’s foil circuit tournament of the season. Davis and Kruse progressed to the round of 64 without having to fence due to their World ranking. Cook (V2D4), Melia (V2D4), Peggs (V3D3) and Rosowsky (V3D2) all made the first round cut. In the first preliminary knockout Melia defeated Cook 15-11 and the others earned byes. In the second preliminary knockout Hatoel (ISR) defeated Peggs 15-7 and Minuto (ITA) knocked out Rosowsky 15-7 but Melia beat Saucedo (ARG) 15-10. In the round of 64, Cheremisinov (RUS) beat Melia 15-12 whilst Davis defeated Sanita (GER) 14-9 and Kruse knocked out Chang (USA) 15-11. Kruse did not progress any further, beaten 15-11 by Heo (KOR) in the round of 32. However Davis continued to be the thorn in the German team’s side knocking out Braun 15-11. He made it a hattrick of victories over German opponents in the round of 16 where he took out Joppich 15-10. His day ended when Khovanskiy (RUS) beat him 15-10 in the round of 8. Speaking about the event, Davis said; “I am happy with the result in Cuba. It has not been my best performance this season, however I am still very pleased as I felt I was back to fencing how I was at the start of the season. My goal going into this competition was to secure my place in the top 16 before the World Championships and I have now achieved this. I would just like to thank Middlesex University for their continued support, Beazley and UK sport who continue to fund fencing to the highest level. I would also like to personally thank my coach, Ziemek for his continued dedication and the hard work he has put into developing me into the fencer I am today. I look forward to working with him over the coming months in the lead up to the World Championships.”
The event was won by Imboden (USA) who beat Avola (ITA) 15-14 in the gold medal match. Chida (JPN) and Khovanskiy (RUS) took the bronze medals home.
Great Britain took part in the team even that included 18 teams. Having received a bye through the round of 32 they went on to beat Ukraine 45-41 in the round of 16. Italy was up next and they were too much for the Brits who went down 45-35. Defeats to Poland (45-43) and France (45-27) saw the British team finish eighth. Russia beat the USA 45-32 to take the gold medal whilst Italy disposed of Germany 45-38 to take the bronze.
GB individual placings: Davis 6th, Kruse 18th, Melia 63rd, Rosowsky 75th, Peggs 86th & Cook 100th.
Women’s Sabre Grand Prix – Tianjin
No British fencers took part in this event that comprised a field of 98. Russian, Ekaterina Dyanchenko took the gold medal beating Mariel Zagunis (USA) 15-11 in the final. The bronze medals went to Kim (KOR) and Lembach (FRA).
Women’s Epee Grand Prix – Havana
No Brits took part in this event where Ana Maria Branza (ROU) came out on top from a field of 88. She beat Emese Szasz (HUN) 15-10 in the final. The bronze medals went to Andryushina (RUS) and Sivkova (RUS).
The British senior team will next head to Zagreb for the Senior European Fencing Championships (16th – 21st June).
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