Two silver medals for Italian epee
Two silvers in Doha
The Italian epee, in the Doha Grand Prix, shines twice in silver: Giulia Rizzi in the women’s competition and Federico Vismara in the men’s competition stand out on the second step of the podium. A double medal of great value, albeit with that trickle of regret for triumphs grazed only at the decisive hits of the respective finals, for the two bearers of the Italy of coach Dario Chiadò in Qatar where, as in all GPs, only the individual trials with increased points were staged. Excellent performance, among the girls, also for Federica Isola who finished in 6° place.
Fourth World Cup podium (and first in a Grand Prix) for Giulia Rizzi. Coming off the qualifiers on Monday, the Friuli native of the Fiamme Oro began her journey in the main draw by winning against France’s Louis Marie 15-7. In the 32-team draw, the Italian won over Estonia’s Beljajeva 15-14 while in the round of 16 she got the better of Differt, another Estonian player, with a result of 12-11 thus entering the “top 8”. In confidence, in the midst of a sumptuous performance, Giulia Rizzi also won by authority in the quarterfinals 15-5 against Korea’s Lee, gaining the certainty of the “medal zone”. In the semifinals, the policewoman class ’89 continued her climb, beating Ukrainian Varfolomyeyeva 14-12. Bitterness for the final, in which Giulia Rizzi è was the author of a great comeback against Kong, a Hong Kong epee player, surrendering only by one hit, in the extra minute, with a score of 14-13. A silver of great depth however for her, who returns to the podium just over a year after her victory in Vancouver in December 2022.
Italy also roared in the men’s event with the fourth World Cup podium by Federico Vismara, who confirmed himself as “GP specialist” (already a three-time medalist on this d’élite circuit). The Milanese of the Fiamme Azzurre at the start of the route overcame Moroccan Elkord with the result 15-6, before getting the better of the Spanish Gonell 15-13 in the round of 32. In the round of 16, the world team champion è prevailed over Ng, a Hong Kong swordsman, 15-9. A great comeback in the quarterfinals, in a spectacular assault, then allowed Federico Vismara to overcome 15-14 (after being down 1-7) the Hungarian Koch, individual world champion at Milan 2023. In the semifinals again a success for “Vis” who è overcame the American Imrek 15-12. Only in the final was the ’blue’s run stopped by the Israeli Freilich who won with a score of 15-9 after two-thirds of the match in the sign of ’balance. For Vismara, in each house, Doha è still a happy destination: he was bronze two years ago also in Qatar.
