PRESS RELEASE: 17 JUNE 2019
World Champion Outsmarts Olympic Champion For European Glory
Today, Italian World Champion Alessio Foconi took the men’s foil individual European title in Dusseldorf, Germany, beating Olympic Champion teammate, Daniele Garozzo, in the final. The all-Italian final proved to be a highly tactical encounter, as expected, with the added element that both fencers were suffering from cramp. Foconi took the title in relative comfort 15-4 in the end. Russia’s Alexey Cheremisinov and French fencer Enzo Lefort shared the bronze medal position.
Foconi had the toughest route to the final and pulled up in the third round against France’s Erwann Le Pechoux with cramp in his right leg. He had to take the entire five-minute injury break allowed in international competition before returning to the piste to win 15-10. It was the quarterfinal where Garozzo’s injury problems began but he battled through cramp in his swordarm to beat Poland’s Andrzej Rzadkowsi 15-10.
Garozzo went on to defeat Russian Alexey Cheremisinov 15-11 in the semi-finals whilst Foconi took out Enzo Lefort of France 15-8, to bring the two together for the 2019 European title fight.
The final started with Foconi, limiting his movement from the on-guard line, due to his cramp but deciding to pick the moment to counter-attack as Garozzo approached. Employing evasive body movements, the tactic worked as Foconi took a 6-1 lead. A frustrated Garozzo was moving freely but couldn’t fully extend his arm because of the cramp he was suffering and became increasingly frustrated. Foconi knew he just had to hold on to claim his first European title, which he did, 15-4.
Speaking just before the medal ceremony, the new European Champion said, “I am very happy because the cramp I suffered against Le Pechoux was bad and I needed the injury time-out. But I finished the competition in my best form because my body recovered. I’m happy about the fight against Daniele because I controlled it with my mind.”
Italian Head Foil coach, Andrea Cipressa, added, “Both of them were warriors out there today and I love that.”
The women’s sabre title was also decided today in Dusseldorf with the Ukraine’s Olga Kharlan claiming her sixth individual title. She beat Manon Brunet of France in the final as World number one, Sofya Velikaya from Russia had to settle for bronze – a position she shared with Hungarian, Anna Marton.
The event continues tomorrow with the men’s epee and women’s foil individual events.
For further information please contact Karim Bashir (karim.bashir@catchsport.com).
Catch Sport, working in partnership on communications with the European Fencing Confederation
More pictures for day 1(Photo Bizzi Team)
