JUNIOR MEN’S SABRE REPORT
Germany’s Colin Heathcock claimed the second European Championship title today in Serbia as he stood on top of the Junior Men’s Sabre podium.
A competitive field of 72 saw Heathcock drop one of his six first round matches, ranking him ninth for the knockout stages. A bye through the incomplete round of 64 was followed by victories over teammate Valentin Meka 15-7, Benedek Vigh (HUN) 15-13, and number one seed Dmitiry Nasonov (ROC) 15-11 to make the semi-finals. He faced Poland’s Szymon Hryciuk to make the gold medal match and his confident approach to the fight saw him progress 15-7.
The other half of the draw saw Radu Nitu (ROU) face Remi Garrigue (FRA) in the semi-final for the much-vaulted place in the fight for gold. An epic battle followed which Nitu edged 15-14.
Nitu towered over Heathcock in the final but the Romanian showed great finesse to go 6-2 up and then lead 8-5 at the break. Repeated attacks with varied tempo off the line allowed the German to get within one hit before a trap, mature beyond his years, saw Heathcock level at 9-9. A buoyant Heathcock, with the wind in his sails, motored on to a 15-11 victory to secure the second title here in Novi Sad.
