Throughout the past weekend, the European fencing community witnessed a series of thrilling competitions across the globe. From women's epee in Barcelona to women's saber in Lima, men's saber in Tbilisi, women's epee in Barcelona, and men's and women's foil in Turin, the level of excitement was palpable.
The women's epee competition in Barcelona was a spectacle to behold. It was Italy who emerged victorious, clinching their spot for the upcoming Olympic Games.
In the historical city of Tbilisi, Georgia, it was the incredible Aron Szilagyi, a three-time Olympic champion, who claimed victory in the men's saber category. His exceptional display of skill and determination indicates that he is more than prepared to fight for his fourth individual Olympic medal.
Meanwhile, in Lima, Ukraine's Olga Kharlan emerged as the shining star and claimed victory in the competition. On the team front, it was France who exhibited their dominance, while Italy secured a commendable second place. France currently holds the number one spot in the Olympic qualification ranking, while Italy is currently securing their qualification by occupying the American continent spot. With two more competitions remaining, fencers are feeling the palpable tension as they strive to secure their place in Paris.
In Turin's men's and women's foil competitions, while European fencers did not secure the top position, they demonstrated their immense talent. Martina Favaretto from Italy earned a well-deserved silver medal in the women's foil, while Alexander Choupenitch claimed silver in the men's category. For Choupenitch, this achievement was significant as it earned him valuable points in the Olympic qualification ranking.
In an exclusive interview with Alexander, he shared his thoughts on his Olympic journey so far:
First off, let me say congratulations on your amazing performance! You did so well in the Olympic qualification ranking and got some valuable points. Even though you’re not qualified right now, the difference with the next European fencer is only 3 points, and there are still two more competitions to go. How do you feel about your Olympic journey so far?
“Thank you very much for congratulations. We have still two tournaments left. I am very happy about my fencing at the last Grand Prix. I was able to beat very strong fencers and to come back from when I was down the score in T16 against World Champion Marini. It was a very good performance and contributed many points in the Olympic ranking but I don’t really think about the Olympics right now, I just think about next tournament and about getting ready for that and being in the best possible shape and to show really good fencing.”
Now, let’s talk about the competition itself. How did you generally feel during the event? Did you have a sense of confidence that everything would go well, or did you face various challenges along the way? Can you tell me about the toughest bout you had?
“So, about the competition, I had quite tough draw and definitely the hardest bout was in T16 against World Champion Marini. I was 7:13 down and I was able to win the fight 15:13. I felt confident the whole day, I felt my fencing is good, I had a good preparation and I knew it’s just about the time when the hard work will pay off. I was confident and I am confident for the next World Cups.”
I remember you have been training in Italy and are fluent in Italian. Did competing in Turin make you feel more comfortable and at home? Was it a favorable or challenging environment for you to compete in?
“Yes, I used to train in Italy and I like competitions in Italy very much. I don’t know if it felt like home, but it definitely felt special. So yes! I felt good. Last year I was 3rd in Turin, this year I got second. Maybe next year I can do something more.. We always hope for the top spot.”
In conclusion, the European Fencing Confederation, led by President Giorgio Scarso, is filled with immense pride for the European athletes. We extend our warmest wishes for a smooth and successful journey ahead, knowing that these talented individuals will undoubtedly make their mark on the world stage.
