ALGIERS, Algeria, Nov. 10-13—Georgia’s Sandro Bazadze and Spain’s Lucia Martin-Portugues won the individual gold medals at the Algiers Men’s and Women’s Sabre World Cup, with France and Korea winning the team gold medals. The event took place at Algier’s Salle Omnisports Harcha Hassan, with 175 men and 152 women fencers participating in the competition as well as 24 men’s and 24 women’s teams.
Bazadze faced Italy’s Luigi Samele in the final match of the men’s individual event, winning with a 15-13 score. In the semifinal round, Samele won against France’s Bolade Apithy, 15-11, while Bazadze beat Egypt’s Ziad Elsissy, 15-13.
Martin-Portugues faced Italy’s Michela Battiston in the final match of the women’s individual event, winning with a 15-12 score. In the semifinal round, Battiston won against France’s Sara Balzer, 15-13, while Martin-Portugues beat Greece’s Theodora Gkountoura, 15-8. Of note, Italy’s Martina Criscio defeated Japanese world champion Misaki Emura in the round of 16, 15-12, followed by Balzer winning against Criscio in the quarterfinals, 15-8.
In the men’s team sabre event, Korea won against Iran in the final match, 45-34. Iran defeated Germany in the semifinals, 45-42, while Korea beat France, 45-19. The bronze medal went to Germany over France, 45-43.
In the women’s team sabre event, France won against Italy in the final match, 45-44. Italy defeated Korea in the semifinals, 45-32, while France beat Spain, 45-41. The bronze medal went to Korea over Spain, 45-36.
Final rankings in men’s individual sabre included Sandro Bazadze (GEO, gold), Luigi Samele (ITA, silver), Bolade Apithy (FRA, bronze), Ziad Elsissy (EGY, bronze), Maxime Pianfetti (FRA), Iulian Teodosiu (ROU), Bongil Gu (KOR) and Matyas Szabo (GER).
Final rankings in women’s individual sabre included Lucia Martin-Portugues (ESP, gold), Michela Battiston (ITA, silver), Sara Balzer (FRA, bronze), Theodora Gkountoura (GRE, bronze), Despina Georgiadou (GRE), Martina Criscio (ITA), Margaux Rifkiss (FRA) and Caitlin Maxwell (GBR).
Final rankings in men’s team sabre included Korea (gold), Iran (silver), Germany (bronze), France, Italy, Hungary, USA and Japan.
Final rankings in women’s team sabre included France (gold), Italy (silver), Korea (bronze), Spain, Azerbaijan, Hungary, Japan and Uzbekistan.
Complete and official results for the event may be found here on the FIE web site. For more exciting world fencing news and features, check out the YouTube FIE Fencing Channel.