15-year old Emily Conrad secures Ukraine’s second gold in the European U23 championships

Conrad, reigning European cadet champion, finished first in a field of 76 women epee fencers.

The Ukranian started the day with 3/6 victories in her pool and was seeded 32nd in the direct elimination. After a victory over Trynova (EST) 15-13, she went on to beat Jazmin Toth (HUN) 15-7, Barbara Brych (POL) 14-13, and Oceane Francillonne (FRA) 15-11 to reach the semi-final. There she defeated world junior no. 2 Alicja Klasik (POL) 11-10 to secure a spot in the gold medal match.

Her opponent, Italian Sara Maria Kowalczyk, won 5/6 matches in the pool to advance to the direct elimination ranked 7th. She reached the semi-final by beating Theodora Ion (ROU) 15-4, Virginia Romeo (SUI) 15-7, Mihal Shukurov (ISR) 15-11, and Alice Conrad (FRA) 15-14. In the semi-final Kowalczyk defeated Angeline Favre (SUI) 15-14 to battle for the gold.

The final was an even battle, but the youngster Conrad came out on top 15-12 to win Ukraine’s second gold medal of the championships, and her first U23 medal.