USA’S EMMER CLAIMS EDEN CUP MEN’S FOIL CROWN

The USA’s eighteen-year-old, Chase Emmer clinched the men’s foil event at the Eden Cup at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre in London on Friday November 4th. He beat Iimura Kazuki from Japan at the Junior (U20) World Cup – the first international event to be held in the UK since travel restrictions were eased after the Covid-19 pandemic. 

A huge field of 191 fencers began the day and Emmer won all of his poule fights, earning third seed for the knockout stages. A bye through the incomplete round of 256 was followed by victories over Choy Lucas (HKG) 15-9, Jonas Karlsen (DEN) 15-5, Mattia Raimondi (ITA) 15-10, Teshigawara Asuka (JPN) 15-9 and William Kelly (USA) 15-11 to progress to the semi-final. Emmer edged the first have of his semi-final against Mateusz Kwiatkowski (POL) to lead 12-6 at the first break and went on to win 15-11.

Meanwhile, Iimura dropped two of his six first round matches and was ranked 44^th for the elimination phase. After a bye through the 256, he made the semi-finals by beating Jakub Kotek (POL) 15-4, Mattia De Christofaro (ITA) 15-11, Joe Donaghue (GBR) 15-10, James Chen (USA) 15-7 and Brandon Lee (USA) 15-14. His semi-final against top seed Samarth Kumbla (USA) was a frantic affair which Iimura won 15-10 in just over two minutes.

Emmer began the final against Iimura knowing that he had to negate the Japanese fencer’s attacking style. He did so by using well-timed beats of the blade. Once his dominance was established Emmer was able to develop long attacks and pick off his opponent on preparation. That combination of tactics saw his take the Eden Cup title with a comfortable 15-6 victory.

Great Britain’s Jaimie Cook (17th), Joe Donaghue (19th), Oliver Strange (26th), Rafael Rhys Pollitt (27th) and Nye Ulferts- Kilpatrick (31st) all made the top 32.

Full results here.

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