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The third day of fencing at the Paris Olympics delivered intense competition and remarkable performances, with events in Women’s Sabre and Men’s Foil showcasing the best of the sport. 

The Women’s Sabre event was a showcase of European excellence, particularly highlighting the strength of French fencers. Manon Apithy-Brunet clinched the gold. The 28-year-old, ranked 5th in the world, outperformed her compatriot Sara Balzer in an all-French final, repeating her victory from last year’s European Championships. Balzer, ranked 2nd and with four World Cup titles this season, put up a strong fight but had to settle for silver.

The bronze medal match was another testament to European prowess, with Ukrainian fencer Olga Kharlan securing her fifth Olympic medal, adding to her impressive career tally. Kharlan, 33, ranked 6th globally, demonstrated her experience and skill, echoing her consistent performance throughout her career, which includes a team gold from Beijing 2008 and a silver from Rio 2016. The fourth place was taken by Choi Sebin of South Korea, a promising young talent who reached her first major podium this season.

In the Men’s Foil competition, Cheung Ka Long of Hong Kong defended his Olympic title with precision and skill, winning gold and solidifying his position as one of the sport’s greats. The 27-year-old, ranked 3rd in the world, has been in formidable form, capturing two World Cup victories this season.

Italy’s Filippo Macchi, aged 22 and ranked 13th, emerged as a rising star, taking the silver medal. Macchi, the European Champion from 2023, added another significant achievement to his burgeoning career, having already secured two podium finishes in this season’s World Cup circuit.

The bronze went to Nick Itkin from the USA, who at 24 and ranked 2nd in the world, is among the leading figures in the sport. Itkin has had an exceptional season, highlighted by a victory in the Pan-American Championships and two World Cup podiums, including a win. The fourth spot was claimed by Kazuki Iimura of Japan, a young talent ranked 9th, who has been making waves with a second-place finish at the Asian Championships.

As the games continue, the European fencers look forward to further showcasing their talents and bringing home more medals, inspiring the next generation of athletes in the sport. Tomorrow, the first day of team competitions begins with Women's Épée, promising more thrilling moments and outstanding performances.