News
From Sofia to Tbilisi: Results Round-Up
Competition
This weekend’s European fencing tournaments delivered an extraordinary showcase of talent as young athletes competed in Sofia, Budapest, and Tbilisi. With exciting performances across U14 and cadet categories, the events highlighted the bright future of fencing on the continent.
Sofia, Bulgaria – U14 and Cadet Sabre
In Sofia, the U14 European Circuit for sabre kicked off with remarkable victories. Hunor Decsi from Hungary dominated the men’s event, narrowly defeating Hei Lim Jayden Woo of Hong Kong, while Stelica Petre from Romania and Ivaylo Andonov from Bulgaria shared third place. On the women’s side, Shuhan Yang of Singapore triumphed, leaving Luisa Paulsen from Germany in second, with Angeliki Glyki of Greece and Turkey’s Ece Kanli rounding out the podium.
The Cadet Circuit in Sofia was equally competitive. In the men’s category, the USA demonstrated dominance, with Emilio Paturzo Gonzalez taking gold, followed by his compatriot Daniel Holz. Turkey’s Yigit Ayaz and Greece’s Thomas Avraam Grollios secured the bronze positions. For the women, Catelyn So from the USA clinched the top spot, ahead of Greece’s Anna Kalliopi Kourousi, while Ralitsa Gadzheva of Bulgaria and Delilah Huai of the USA shared third. In the team events, the USA swept both the men’s and women’s competitions, cementing their place as a powerhouse in cadet sabre. For detailed results, visit this link.
Budapest, Hungary – Cadet Foil
Over in Budapest, Hungary, the cadet foil competitions provided plenty of thrilling moments. Italy’s Marco Panazzolo claimed gold in the men’s individual event, edging past Riccardo Sisinni from the USA, while Emanuele Iaquinta of Italy and Hungary’s Hunor Kosztolanyi shared bronze. The women’s individual competition was dominated by the USA, with Jaelyn Liu taking first place, followed by Gabrielle Gebala. Caterina Fedeli joined her teammates on the podium, alongside Katerina Illekova from the Czech Republic. The USA continued their strong performance in the team events, winning both the men’s and women’s foil categories. Full results are available here.
Tbilisi, Georgia – U14 Foil
In Tbilisi, U14 fencers showcased their skills in the foil competitions. Abdullah Dakak of Qatar emerged victorious in the boys’ event, defeating Georgia’s Givi Kurashvili in the final. Bronze medals went to Lazare Chitadze, also from Georgia, and Nurkhan Abdraman from Kazakhstan. In the girls’ event, Marte Iwersen of Germany took the top spot, leaving Inzhu Satyymbek of Kazakhstan in second place, while Turkey’s Oyku Duru Akgul and Doga Elvan secured bronze.
This weekend’s results highlighted the strength and depth of European fencing, with athletes from across the continent achieving remarkable success on their home stage. European fencers held their own in Sofia, Budapest, and Tbilisi, securing numerous podium finishes and showcasing the region’s enduring talent and dedication to the sport. While Europe continued to shine as a powerhouse in fencing, the performances of athletes from other continents, including the USA and Asia, underscored the truly global nature of the sport. The mix of medalists reflects an increasingly competitive field, where fencing excellence transcends borders and unites a worldwide #FencingFamily.
Looking Ahead: Competitions to Follow Next Weekend
The excitement continues next weekend with a packed schedule of events across Europe. In Grenoble, France, cadet fencers will take to the piste for an epee competition featuring both individual and team categories as part of the Cadet Circuit. Meanwhile, Munich, Germany, will host the U23 EFC FFE Circuit for sabre, providing a stage for some of the brightest young talents in this age group to showcase their skills. Lastly, Belgrade, Serbia, will welcome U14 foil fencers for another thrilling round of the European Circuit.
As the season unfolds, these events promise to deliver more unforgettable moments and stellar performances. Be sure to follow the action, support your athletes, and stay tuned for the next round-up of results. Together, let’s celebrate the resilience and dedication of the #FencingFamily