Fab Five star for France

The second weekend of the senior international circuit featured just one event.  Legnano, hosts of the 2012 Senior European Championships, welcomed 248 men’s epeeists for their World Cup.

Thomas (V4D2), Allen (V3D2) and Marsh (V3D3) all made the first round cut but Henderson (V1D5) did not.  With such a huge field, those making the cut had to fence three preliminary elimination fights to make the second day.  All three British fencers received byes through the first knockout but then Thomas and Marsh fell 15-12 to Jiang (CHN) and 15-7 to Jiao (CHN), respectively.  However, Allen made it through a tough fight against Oberson (SUI) 12-11.  His day was ended by Russian fencer, Avdeev who made it to day two, beating the Brit 15-7.

The quarterfinals saw no less than five French fencers take to the piste, namely, Fava, Jerent, Lucenay, Robeiri and Trevejo.  All but Robeiri (beaten 15-9 by the Korean, Jung) and Fava (taken out 15-11 by team mate Lucenay) made the semi final.  There, Lucenay beat compatriot Travejo, 15-12 and Jung just about saw off Jerent, 15-14.  The final was a one-sided affair with Jung taking the title 15-6.

Great Britain did not enter the team event which saw 31 other teams battle it out.  Ukraine took the gold medal beating Poland 17-16 in a very low scoring affair.  France continued their successful weekend by beating Israel 45-32 to take the bronze medal.

The third weekend of the senior circuit (at the end of this week) showcases the world’s best female fencers across the weapons with an epee Grand Prix in Budapest, a foil Grand Prix in Gdansk and a sabre Grand Prix in Orleans.  Great Britain has entries into all three events.

GB placings:  Allen 90th, Thomas 107th, Marsh 133rd & Henderson 230th.