USA’s Dershwitz and Korea’s Hong take gold at latest FIE World Cup events

Dershwitz took the gold medal in the men’s sabre competition held in Algiers whilst Hong took top honours in the women’s foil event in St Maur, France.

More than 130 senior men’s sabre fencers from around the world participated in the event staged at the Salle Omnisports Harcha Hacene in the Algerian capital.

Dershwitz, who last year won the sabre Grand Prix in Seoul, Korea, overcame Italy’s Enrico Berre, 15-9, to take gold on this occasion.

Both finalists fought their way past Russian opponents in the semi-finals with varying levels of challenge. Berre defeating Kamil Ibragimov 15-6, and Dershwitz edged a very close bout over world champion Veniamin Reshetnikov 15-14.

Losing quarter-finalist Andras Szatmari (Hungary), Alberto Pellegrini (Italy), Bolade Apithy (France), and Junho Kim (Korea) made up the other top eight places.

In the men’s team sabre event held at the same venue, Germany came out on top of an equally entertaining competition to take gold.

A field of 18 countries took part which saw the German team defeat Italy in the final, 45-28.

Both teams mirrored each other’s efforts in the semi-finals with Germany beating Iran and Italy facing Hungary both by 45-34 scorelines.

Hungary did have the consolation of taking the bronze medal thanks a single point victory over Iran, 45-44, with Russia, France, Korea, and USA making up the top eight slots.

The Sport Center Pierre Brossolette in St. Maur, France was the venue for the women’s foil competition which was won by Korea’s Hyo Jin Hong.

Nearly 200 international women’s fencers took part in this event which Hong come up against world champion silver medallist and Grand Prix winner Alice Volpi of Italy in the final.

In what was an enthralling bout, Kong came out on top by only two points with a 15-13 scoreline to secure gold and a career-best win.

Volpi to her credit gave another tremendous performance, especially having earlier overcame Russian fencer Svetlana Tripapina by a single touch in the semi-final, 15-14. Hong was set to face her teammate, Song Oh Chaehowever she was awarded victory by default when Chae had to withdraw.

With Chae and Tripapina taking bronze medals, the top eight placings were completed by Nicole Ross (USA), Hee Sook Jeon (Korea), Chiara Cini (Italy), and Aida Mohamed (Hungary).

In the women’s team foil event, Italy took the gold medal after a great battle with Russia.

A total of 19 countries took part in the competition which saw Italy edge out their Russian counterparts, 45-38, in the Final

Earlier, the winners had beaten China in the semi-final, 45-32, whilst Russia overcame a determined USA challenge, 45-39.

In the bronze match, China beat USA, 45-42, with France, Hungary, Canada, and Korea making up the top eight ranking places.