Third day - Lehis Crowned European Champion as Estonia Claim Women’s Epee Gold, Silver and Bronze

Twenty-three year old Estonian, Katrina Lehis stunned the crowds in Novi Sad today, to claim the Women’s Epee European Championship title. The World number 63, who had never won a European or World Championships medal, had to beat teammate, Kristina Kuusk in the final to win.

Lehis fenced well in the ranking round, coming through as sixth seed whilst some of the higher seeded fencer did not perform. It meant for a relatively comfortable elimination phase for the Estonian, despite a tight fight against Budai of Hungary early on. She progressed through to the semi-finals where she met Russia’s Violetta Kolobova, who won last year’s title. The Russian, ranked eighth in the World suffered from a poor ranking round and had to beat Poland’s World number seven, Ewa Nelip to make the medal matches.

Kolobova dominated the early stages of her semi-final against a defensive Lehis, leading 10-5 at the second regulation break. Lehis came out for the final period, setting up her attacks better and drew level at 13-13 before time ran out. In the extra time minute, she skipped away from a Kolobova attack before landing the winning hit that gave her the chance to fight for gold.

It was a great day for Estonia, as world number 45, Kuusk impressively took out Italy’s world number three, Mara Navarria on her way to the semi-finals. There she faced teammate and 2013 World Champion, Julia Beljajeva who had to beat Romanian superstar, Ana Maria Popescu, to progress. Kuusk took the lead early on against Beljajeva in their semi-final and used a defensive game to close the match out 15-7.

In the final, Lehis came out from the off, pressing Kuusk straight away. The change of tactic from the semi-final did not work. Despite being pushed back, Kuusk controlled the distance and kept her blade away from her teammate to lead 10-7 going into the final period. Lehis stayed on the attack in the final period and was able to avoid Kuusk defensive bladework more effectively, to steal the lead in the closing seconds. Despite Kuusk switching to the attack herself, Lehis claimed the title 15-14 with a stunning fleche (running) attack.

Full results are available online, here.

The event continues tomorrow with the start of the team disciplines.