News

Thirty-three year old Frenchman, Yannick Borel claimed his fourth Men’s Epee individual European title in Antalya, Turkey on day three of the Senior European Championships.

The World number four did not start the day well, dropping three of his six ranking round fights and went into the elimination stages as the fifty-fifth seed. However, he battled his way through the field beating Rashaida (BUL) 15-11, Stankevych (UKR) 15-11, Vismara (ITA) 15-7, Jorgensen (DEN) 15-9 and Schmidt (GER) 15-10 to make the semi-finals. Tricky Swiss fencer, Max Heinzer, the World number sixteen, stood in Borel’s way for a place in the final but the Frenchman put in a composed performance to win 15-11.

In the other half of the draw Alexis Bayard (SUI) faced Tristan Tulen (NED) in the semi-finals. Tulen edged a match, that swung both ways throughout, 15-14, to book his place in the gold medal match.

Borel put in a dominant display in the final to claim his fourth European title with a 15-1 victory. Speaking afterwards a beaming Borel said, “I had to manage a leg injury since the last World Cup in Tbilisi. I began to train harder and harder in the build up. I had the will to leave it all on the piste and come away with no regrets. The poule matches are always difficult at the European Championships and I lost three fights but I just wanted to get through and show my real fencing in the knockout stages. The results is here with the gold medal. It’s the fourth time I’ve won this event and it’s amazing.”

The event continues with team events for Women’s Foil and Men’s Sabre on day four of the Championships. The full schedule is available here.