Italy dominate the podium again

The Cadet and Junior World Championships 2013 continued in Poreč, Croatia, with the Junior Men’s individual Sabre and Junior Women’s Foil events.

Junior Men’s Sabre

There were three British fencers in this event joining a field of 108.  Both Slankard (V1D5) and Van Hoffelen (V1D5) missed the first round cut but Aiyunero (V3D3) made the knockout stages.  In the round of 128 he beat Kurt (TUR) 15-6 but then lost in the next round 15-9 to Chung (KOR).

The first semi-final saw World number 2, Dershwitz (USA), take on world number 7, Szatmari (HUN) and the Hungarian opened up an 8-5 lead by the break.  Despite a great comeback by the American Szatmari went on to win 15-14.  The second semi-final was an amazing match with Ibragimov (RUS) leading 8-7 at the break.  His variety of actions took him to a comfortable 15-10 victory.  In the gold medal match Szatmari (HUN) led 8-7 at the break but Ibragimov (RUS) came from behind and at 14-14 demonstrated great bravery performing a parry riposte to take the World Championships 15-14.

GB Individual Placings:  Aiyunero 50^th, Slankard 86^th & Van Hoffelen 90^th.

Full Individual Results Here

Junior Women’s Foil

Just one British fencer joined a field of 91 for the individual event.  King (V3D3) progressed through the first round and was unlucky to lose three of her fights 5-4.  She did enough to earn a bye through the round of 128 and then went on to beat El Houari (ALG) 15-7 in the round of 64.  In the round of 32 she faced Hyeji Kim (KOR) and after leading 14-11, lost out 15-14 in an up-and-down match.

In the first semi-final, despite her experience at the senior level, Kiefer (USA) found herself 11-7 down to Mancini (ITA) at the first break.  The Italian went on to win 15-9.  A cagey start to the second semi-final saw Pirieva (RUS) lead 2-1 over Palumbo (ITA) before non-combativity was called.  The pace increased in the second period but with Palumbo fencing at a short distance against the much taller Russian, she fell 8-4 behind at the second break.  Better distance saw Palumbo pull back to 10-10 but then Pirieva ran away with the fight, winning 15-11.  Mancini (ITA), the World number 1, controlled the final and became the World Champion 15-12 with a masterful performance.

GB Individual Placings:  King 28^th.

Full Individual Results Here

The Junior competition continues tomorrow with the Men’s and Women’s individual Epee events.