The United States won their first Junior World Championship title in men's epee team, defeating Israel in a gold medal final that turned on a single substitution at Carioca Arena 1 in Rio de Janeiro tonight.
Israel led 29-23 after six legs and appeared to be closing in on gold. The United States brought in Elijah Imrek for the seventh leg, and he proceeded to score and bring Team USA back into the bout — outscoring his opponent 8-2 with an awkward style and well-placed flèche attacks to pull the match level at 31.
From there, Nathaniel Wimmer — individual silver medallist — won his leg 5-0 to set up Simon Lyoznyansky, who closed out the match and delivered the United States their first World title in this event, 45-39.
In the semifinals, the United States beat China 45-31 while Israel came from behind — 29-24 down — to beat Hungary 45-41.
Hungary took bronze, beating China 45-20.
Final Rankings — Junior Men's Epee Team
1. United States of America
2. Israel
3. Hungary
4. China
5. Italy
6. Ukraine
7. Russia
8. Hong Kong, China