Italy edged Hong Kong, China 45–43 in a dramatic final to claim the men’s foil team gold in Cairo, Egypt.
Top-seeded in a field of twenty-three teams, the Italians powered their way to the final with commanding wins over Chinese Taipei (45–20), China (45–28), and Spain (45–31) in the semifinals.
The gold medal match proved far tighter. Italy held a narrow 30–28 advantage after five of the nine legs, but momentum swung in the sixth when Lam Ho Long—fresh off his Junior World Championship title in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil two weeks earlier—outscored Paris 2024 Olympic silver medalist Filippo Macchi 7–3 to give Hong Kong, China its first lead of the match.
Hong Kong, China maintained that edge and entered the final leg ahead 40–39. There, Guillaume Bianchi delivered under pressure, defeating reigning World champion (Tbilisi, Georgia 2025) Choi Chun Yin Ryan 6–3 to seal the comeback victory and lift Italy to the top of the podium.
In the other semifinal, Hong Kong, China edged the United States 45–43 in a back-and-forth contest that featured four consecutive lead changes. The United States rebounded to capture the bronze medal with a 45–34 win over Spain.
Final Rankings – Men’s Team Foil
Italy – Gold
Guillaume Bianchi, Giulio Lombardi, Filippo Macchi, Tommaso Marini
Hong Kong, China – Silver
Cheung Ka Long, Choi Chun Yin Ryan, Lam Ho Long, Leung Chin Yu
United States of America – Bronze
James Bourtis, Nick Itkin, Bryce Louie, Alexander Massialas
Spain
_AIN
China
Poland
Belgium
In a women’s field of eighteen teams, Italy claimed the gold medal with a 45–40 victory over longtime rival France.
The final was tightly contested throughout, featuring four lead changes. France held a narrow 40–39 advantage heading into the ninth and final leg, but Italy’s standout performer of the day, Anna Cristino, delivered a decisive finish—shutting out Anita Blaze 6–0 to secure the title.
Cristino proved to be the difference in the final, posting an impressive +13 touch differential (20 touches scored, just 7 conceded). She had also been instrumental in Italy’s semifinal win, a 41–38 victory over Japan, where she recorded a +8 indicator (13–5) and closed out the match.
In the other semifinal, France edged the United States 41–40. The Americans rebounded in the bronze medal match, defeating Japan 42–38.
Final Rankings – Women’s Foil Team
Italy – Gold
Arianna Errigo, Martina Favaretto, Martina Batini, Anna Cristino
France – Silver
Anita Blaze, Eva Lacheray, Morgane Patru, Ysaora Thibus
United States of America – Bronze
Lauren Scruggs, Lee Kiefer, Katerina Lung, Carolina Stutchbury
Japan
Hungary
Ukraine
Spain
Poland