European Cadet Circuit Tournament “Hartmann Cup” in Heidenheim from 10th to 11th December 2022
Already for the 34th time Heidenheim had the pleasure to be the host of the "Hartmann Cup", which belongs to the tournament series of the European Cadet Circuit since the year 2007.
And also this year the competition in Heidenheim, Germany, proved itself with an impeccable organization and a high number of participants.
Overall 229 participants from 21 nations took part in the individual competition in women's épée. With fencers from Australia and Singapore, even non-European nations entered.
The competition venue, the Karl-Rau-Halle in Heidenheim, may not have been familiar to the young U17 athletes. However, this place carries a lot of history of fencing. Already since 1960 the "Heidenheimer Pokal" has been held there, the men's epee seniors World Cup. A place where world and Olympic champions have already celebrated their successes has now become the delight of some young talented girls.
Both in the individual and in the team competition, the fencers from Hungary stood out. Four Hungarian girls made it to the top 8 final. Winner of the 34th Hartmann Cup was Greta Gachalyi (HUN) ahead of her compatriot Hanna Terhes (HUN). Blanka Virag Nagy (HUN) and Elle Meihui Koh (SGP) finished third.
Surprising was also the qualification of three young Spanish women for the quarterfinals.
The best participant of the German hosts was Eva Steffens (GER) on rank 10.
In the team nations competition, 23 teams from 13 nations took part. For the German Fencing Federation there was a great success to celebrate with the second place by Germany 1. Winner of the Nations Cup were again the strong Hungarian girls. Hungary 1 defeated Germany 1 in the final with 45:38 and won gold.
The battle for 3rd place was between the two teams from Poland. In the end Poland 1 beat Poland 2 with 37:36 in sudden death and won bronze.
Overall, the Heidenheimer Sportbund, host of the tournament, could look back on a perfect time schedule and organisation. The beautiful presentation of the finals will hopefully remain in the memory of the participants and spectators. This was confirmed by praising words of the delegated EFC referee Ambre Civiero.
