Yoana Ilieva, bronze medalist from Tallinn 2022, battled through 46 women’s sabre fencers to claim her second European U23 Championship medal.
The Bulgarian produced a clean sheet in the pool round and accordingly secured the first seed entering the direct elimination. After a BYE in the round of 64, she defeated teammate Emma Neikova (BUL) 15-8, Benedetta Fusetti (ITA) 15-3, and Mathilde Mouroux (FRA) 15-9 to reach the semi-final. There she comfortably won against Anna Spiesz (HUN) 15-6 to battle for gold.
Her opponent, Romanian Sabina Martis, won 5/6 matches in the pool and entered the direct elimination ranked 14th. After a BYE in the round of 64, she defeated Paula Montoya (ESP) 15-7, Marleen Buitenhuis (NDL) 15-8, and Felice Herbon (GER) 15-13 to reach the semi-final, where she won a close battle again Zuzanna Cieslar (POL) 15-14 to advance to the final.
Yoana Ilieva took an early lead in the grand final and after winning 15-8 she secured Bulgaria’s first gold medal of the tournament.
