Vitalis negotiates tough competition to win women’s World Cup epee in Havana

Vitalis took the top prize after overcoming a series of closely-fought contests before finding the edge in a great bout of fencing in the Final against Korea’s Hyein Lee.

There was however some consolation for the runner-up as Korea earned the gold medal with a convincing performance in the team competition.

The weekend’s action in the Cuban capital was held at the Coliseo de la Ciudad Deportiva which saw nearly 150 women fencers compete in the individual competition. Vitalis had to pull out all the stops for her gold medal success as she defeated pre-tournament favourite Tatyana Gudkova of Russia in the last 16, before making it through a very tight semi-final against China’s Rio 2016 bronze medallist Sun Yiwen, winning by a single touch 15-14.

The Final was an equally tense affair with Vitalis eventually having the edge over Lee, 15-12.

Lee’s progress to the gold medal showdown had earlier seen her defeat Olympic silver medallist and two-time World Championship gold medal winner Rossella Fiamingo in the round of 16, before similarly negotiating a close semi-final by beat Hong Kong’s Man Wai Vivian Kong, 15-14.

Any disappointment Lee may have harboured from the individual competition would have been cushioned by success in the team competition which was contested by 17 international teams and saw Korea emerge as deserved champions.

Having earlier progressed at the expense of China, 45-36, in the semi-final, the Koreans went onto beat Russia 45-34 in the Final to take gold. Russia beat Italy, 28-23 in the semi-finals, whilst China then took the bronze medal, defeating the Italians, 38-30.