The top-seeded Kano Koki of Japan, the reigning Olympic champion from the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics and World Champion from the 2025 World Fencing Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia, once again reached the top of the podium, defeating the 5th-ranked Matteo Galassi of Italy, 15-9, at the final épée Grand Prix of the season at the Coliseo Iván de Bedout in Medellín, Colombia.
It was Kano’s first podium appearance this season after 7 competitions.
Kano worked his way through a field of 210 fencers, surviving several difficult encounters in a competition filled with upsets, as seven of the top 16 seeds were eliminated in the round of 64.
After dominant victories over Marco Paganelli of Italy, 15-4, and his countryman Asami Seiva, 15-9, Kano found himself tied 14-14 in the round of 16 against the 18th-ranked, 20-year-old Samuel Imrek of the United States. Kano scored the deciding touch with a flèche attack in the middle of the piste. He then faced another close challenge against the 21st-ranked Conrad Seibaek Kongstad of Denmark, eventually pulling out a 15-13 victory.
In the semifinals, Kano survived yet another tight bout, defeating the 183rd-ranked, 23-year-old Paul Fortin of France, 15-13.
In the final, Kano faced Galassi, the 20-year-old Italian whose unusual style and rapid rise have made him one of the breakthrough performers on the senior circuit this season. Kano relied on superior distance control and footwork to neutralise Galassi, while also launching lightning-fast attacks to secure the 15-9 victory.
In the other semifinal, Galassi defeated his countryman, the 30th-ranked, 22-year-old Simone Mencarelli, 15-11.
Both Mencarelli and Fortin earned bronze medals, with Fortin capturing the first senior-level medal of his career.
Final Rankings – Men’s Individual Epee
Kano Koki (JPN, Gold)
Matteo Galassi (ITA, Silver)
Paul Fortin (FRA, Bronze)
Simone Mencarelli (ITA, Bronze)
Tristan Tulen (NED)
Mate Tomas Koch (HUN)
Conrad Seibaek Kongstad (DEN)
Nikita Koshman (UKR)