CADET & JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2012 REPORT – DAY 5
Tofalides takes 9th place in the Men’s Foil event
The second day of the Junior World Championships included the individual events of Women’s Sabre and Men’s Foil events in Moscow’s Olympic stadium.
Women’s Sabre
Britain’s sole participant, Aliya Itzkowitz, joined a field of 81 entries and she came out of the poule ranked 9th having recorded five victories from six fights. In the round of 64 she comfortably beat Rodriguez (ESP) 15-7 but fell to 15-11 to Kusian (GER) in the round of 32.
The event was won by Egorian (RUS) who beat Navarria (ITA) 15-11. Showing slightly more variety, the Russian took a narrow 6-8 lead into the break after which she switched tactics switching from all out attacks to twice employing the distance trap. The bronze medals went to Boudiaf (FRA) and Petraglia (ITA).
GB Placings: Itzkowitz 19th.
Men’s Foil
In the Junior Men’s Foil event Kristjan Archer, Amol Rattan and Alex Tofalides joined a field of 122 fencers. Tofalides started the best, winning all six of his first round fights. Archer finished V4D2 and Rattan V3D3. Tofalides was seeded 2nd after his efforts in the first round and had a bye through the round of 128 whilst Rattan beat Fijolic (CRO) 15-6 but Archer fell 15-13 to Matyas (HUN). Rattan lost 15-6 in the round of 64 to eventual quarter finalist, Nista (ITA). In the same round Tofalides demonstrated real grit, edging out Kontochristopoulos (GRE) 15-13. He followed this up with a comfortable 15-8 victory over Degtyalev (RUS) in the round of 32. He faced eventual bronze medalist, Massialas (USA) in the round of 16 – the American is part of the USA Senior team and has a senior world ranking of 10. Having to take a 10-minute medical time-out with suspected cramp he put in a brave effort but ultimately lost 15-11.
The event was won by home favourite, Safin (RUS), who beat Garozzo (ITA) 15-8. Both fencers went on the attack and traded hits in the early stages. With the first period well into the third minute the Russian broke away, taking the score to 7-4. Sensing victory he suddenly upped the pace and delighted the home crowd by taking the World Championship title before the end of the period. The bronze medals were won by Massialas (USA) and Nakis (GRE).
GB Placings: Tofalides 9th, Rattan 55th, Archer 66th.
The Junior individual events in men’s and women’s epee take place on day six of the Championships – the final day of individual events.
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