Gold Medals, Real Emotions: Murtazaeva and Bianchi Crowned in Genova
The third day of the European Fencing Championships in Genova delivered two powerful stories of perseverance, mindset, and victory. Aizanat Murtazaeva, claiming her first-ever European title, and Guillaume Bianchi, upgrading his past bronze into gold, opened up to Olympic Champion Erika Kirpu about their emotional journeys. In this edition of Voices of Victory, we bring you their unfiltered reflections — just minutes after becoming champions.
Aizanat: “Every bout started from zero”
Erika Kirpu: Aizanat, congratulations on your first title as a European Champion. How does it feel? Is it real?
Aizanat: Thank you so much! I still can’t believe it’s true. I didn’t come with the goal to win — I just wanted to show good fencing and do everything I could. And that’s what happened.
Erika: So, with which approach did you come to this competition?
Aizanat: To show everything I can. I knew I had potential, but I tried not to think about it — because usually thoughts about winning disturb me more than they help.
Erika: Which match was the toughest match today?
Aizanat: All of them. Absolutely every match, starting from the very first. I didn’t feel good in the pool, I wasn’t fencing well. But as the competition went on, I started finding my fencing.
Erika: What helped you find your fencing at the end?
Aizanat: For me, the long breaks were helpful. I came out of the competition zone and entered it again — that helps me. I could reset.
Erika: What was inspiring you during these breaks?
Aizanat: Honestly, I tried not to think about fencing. I was lying down, scrolling Instagram. I came back to every bout like it was my first of the day. Everything started from zero.
Erika: If we speak about the final touch — did you already know what you were going to do?
Aizanat: When I saw that Katrina had the priority, I knew I had to act. And with my height, it’s always difficult to make an attack. I knew it would be tough. But I think it was fantastic — the last flick hit — just fantastic.
Erika: And you did it. Congratulations again — enjoy this beautiful moment, European Champion!
Guillaume Bianchi: “Gold is winning”
Erika Kirpu: Guillaume, congratulations. Amazing. You already have a bronze medal from the European Championships — and now gold. What is this feeling of being European Champion?
Guillaume Bianchi: Yeah, that's amazing. Because gold is winning — it's to be European Champion. It's totally different. And I'm so happy for this medal and for my fencing today.
Erika: But does it already feel real?
Guillaume: I don't know. I don't know. I'm too tired to understand, really. But I'm very happy for this. Maybe I can understand a little bit what I'm feeling — but maybe tomorrow.
Erika: Do you remember the moment during today when you realized that you could win?
Guillaume: It's difficult to say. Maybe in T16 when I won against Choupenitch — 15:7, maybe. It was a very hard match for me, and I won so easily. So I could understand that it could be my day.
Erika: When you were preparing for the competition, how did you imagine it?
Guillaume: I didn't imagine an end. Every time, I imagined me fencing well. I don't know which opponent I had, but me — fencing well. And that's what happened today.
Erika: So — positive thinking?
Guillaume: Yes.
Erika: And what was your strength today?
Guillaume: Strength? The mental. I think the mental. Because I won two 15:14 matches.
Erika: At 14:14 — what are you thinking about?
Guillaume: What I have to do now. Next touch. Next touch — what will it be?
Erika: I heard in the previous interview that this year will be a special year for you?
Guillaume: I'm waiting... a baby. That's an amazing thing. Because we want it a lot. And I thought every day of my life of this day — that it will happen. I hope.
Erika: Congratulations for everything. Good luck!
? You can watch both full interviews on our Instagram page: instagram.com/eurofencing
Stay tuned for more Voices of Victory as the European Championships continue in Genova!
