Fencing World Championships Milan 2023: immediately two medals in epee
Fencing World Championships Milan 2023: immediately two medals in epee
The Italian World Championships in Milan 2023 begins with two medals. Under the eyes of the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, guest of honor in an emotional opening ceremony, the Italian women’s epee shines: silver for Alberta Santuccio and bronze for Mara Navarria. One stroke away from the podium was the performance of Michele Gallo, who finished 5th, in men’s saber as did the other epee player Rossella Fiamingo (7th).
An exciting day for CT Dario Chiadò’s girls. First world medal, at individual level, for a fantastic Alberta Santuccio who closes with a rainbow silver medal a season that had seen her win the World Cup test in Tallinn in November 2022. Her adventure began with a victory over India’s Khatri with a score of 15-9 in the round of 64. In the round of 32 then the Sicilian of the Fiamme Oro nimbly overcame Peruvian Doig Calderon 11-5 confirming her excellent form. The class of ’94 in the round of 16 where she defeated the World Champion in Budapest 2019 Natalie Moellhausen at the priority 10-9 landing in the quarterfinals. Master Daniele Pantoni’s student in the derby in the semifinals won on a comeback against Mara Navarria 15-13 opening wide the doors to the final for gold. In the final match came the defeat against the newly crowned world champion Marie-Flore Candassamy. The Frenchwoman won with a score of 15-11.
Splendid bronze medal for Mara Navarria. On her morning, the Friulian Army member debuted with a 15-6 victory over Uzbek Egamberdieva that allowed her to break the ice in world competition. Master Alberto Cirillo’s student, in the round of 32, then overcame Korea’s Choi with a score of 15-10. The 2018 World Champion in the round of 16 with 15-13 beat French Mallo and entered the “top 8.” The ’85 class secured her second world medal at the individual level thanks to her success against the No. 1 on the scoreboard, Hong Kong athlete Man Wai Kong by 15-13 before losing to Alberta Santuccio in the semifinals.
A resounding Italian trio on the podium came close: seventh place for Rossella Fiamingo. The Sicilian’s competition began with a success over Lithuanian Azukaite with a score of 15-11 thus landing among the best 32 of the rainbow competition. The Catanese then got the better of the Japanese Yoshimura 15-9. In the round of 16 a great comeback in the third time allowed her to defeat Estonian Differt entering the “top 8” of this Milan 2023. The stop for the two-time rainbow winner came in the quarterfinals against China’s Sun at the last hit in the extra minute 10-9. Stop in the first round for Federica Isola who was ranked 41st after losing in the extra minute against China’s Yu 14-13.
A single hit separated Michele Gallo from the podium in men’s saber. The Salerno native, the youngest athlete in CT Nicola Zanotti’s quartet, baptized his World Championships with a 15-11 success over Egypt’s Moataz before beating in the round of 32 the Under-20 World Champion at Plovdiv 2023, the USA’s Colin Heathcock 15-12. In the round of 16, Gallo overcame Canadian Gordon 15-13 with a great final rush, securing a place in the top 8. The last hit separated the 2001 class from his first medal at world level losing 15-14 to Egypt’s Elsissy.
Stop in the round of 16 for Luigi Samele and Luca Curatoli (ranked 9th and 12th, respectively) on their respective birthdays. The Foggiano entered the competition with a 15-13 victory over Spain’s Bravo. He then got the better of the Kuwaiti athlete Alshamlan 15-9 in the 32nd draw, thus entering the top 16. The race then came to a halt in the challenge against the American Dershwitz (later crowned World Champion) 15-6. For Curatoli, the start of the match saw him win in the round of 64 against Germany’s Kindler 15-9. The second match of the day went smoothly for the newly 29-year-old, who outlasted Japan’s Hoshino 15-5. The Class of ’94’s run came to a halt with a score of 15-12 against three-time Olympic Champion Aron Szilagyi 15-12. Forty-second position for Riccardo Nuccio who lost his first match of the day 15-11 to Tunisian Ferjani.
Tomorrow is the second day of competition. At 8:30 a.m. the start of the women’s foil competition. Italy will be at the start with Plovdiv European Championships gold medalist Martina Batini, continental silver medalist Martina Favaretto, 2018 world champion Alice Volpi, and the big comeback of Arianna Errigo, who made it through the preliminary phase as a new mother last Sunday. From 10:10 a.m. the men’s epee will kick off with three of CT Dario Chiadò’s Azzurri on the piste: European champion Davide Di Veroli, vice-European champion Federico Vismara and Italian champion Valerio Cuomo.
