Egor Lomaga Comes From Behind to Claim Junior Men’s Epee Crown
The Junior European Fencing Championships began today in Porec, Croatia with the Men’s Epee individual tournament and Egor Lomaga claimed the coveted prize.
The Russian came into the event ranked eighteenth in Europe and battled through the ranking round, dropping just one fight. Ranked seventh for the elimination stage, Lomaga had a bye through the first match and went on to beat Kublitskiy (UKR) 15-3, Cohen (ISR) 15-10, EU25 Jean Joseph (FRA) 15-14, Osman-Touson 11-10 to make the semi-finals.
His opponent there was his teammate and Europe’s fifteenth best fencer, Dmitrii Shvelidze. He had taken out European number two Davide Di Veroli (ITA) in the quarterfinals but Lomaga went after him from the start. Lomaga led 12-10 at the first break and wasted little time in the second period to take the match 15-12.
In the other half of the draw Italy’s Filippo Armaleo faced Aleix Messien of France in the top four. The French fencer had taken out European number 16 Ganin (RUS) 15-13 on route to the top four and led the semi-final 7-6 going into the final period. Armaleo though had played a patient game, working out his opponent’s distance and timing and came from behind to make the final with a 15-12 victory.
In the gold medal match Lomaga was the one trying to press and create opportunities but was tied with Armaleo 3-3 at the first break. In the second period Lomaga continued to be the creator but was employing his characteristic fleche attack from too far away. Armaleo was alert and his disciplined hand position combined with his work-rate took the Italian to a 7-6 lead going into the final period. Lomaga continued to work hard himself though and tellingly pushed the distance closer. The tactic worked and he levelled at 13-13 before a double took the pair to a one-hit shoot-out. Lomaga used his fabulous fleche to take the European title 15-14.
