Kristjan Archer overcomes old foes at Men’s Junior Foil Event in London
International fencing returned to London for the first time since the Olympic Games in the form of the Eden Cup. This men’s junior event has become a permanent fixture on the under-20 international men’s foil circuit and 143 fencers attended this year from 26 countries.
A 20-strong British team was down to just two by the round of 32, Kristjan Archer and Alex Tofalides. Tofalides impressed in the first round winning all six of his matches earning himself 6th seed and a bye through to the round of 64. Archer started more slowly, dropping three of his five first round matches and seeded a lowly 83rd for the round of 128. There he faced Tsoronis (DEN) and he had clearly got into his stride demolishing the Dane 15-1. He proceed just as comfortably through his round of 64 match beating Khazbak (EGY) 15-3. Tofalides overcame teammate Rattan in a much closer fight that finished 15-13. Archer was on a roll and took out Nemeth (HUN) 15-7 in the next round. Tofalides also fought well to overcome his opponent, Schiavone (ITA) 10-7 on time. If both fencers had won their round of 16 fights they would have met in the quarterfinal stage that would have guaranteed a British medal. Sadly it was not to be. Despite his having to take an injury timeout, Archer won his fight against Doerr (GER) 15-11 but Tofalides fell 15-9 to Matyas (HUN).
Archer faced Matyas (HUN) and even though he put up a great fight he finished on the losing end of a 15-11 scoreline. The event was won in style by Choupenitch (CZE) who beat Franco (ITA) 15-8 in the final. The bronze medals went to Matyas (HUN) and Rosatelli (ITA).
After the event Archer said; “I am generally pleased with today’s result and feel I have now overcome some past demons. I know not only that I can improve but also what I need to work on in my training to achieve that improvement.”
His coach and former Olympic fencer, Pierre Harper, added, “It was a good result where Kristjan served up a couple of good revenge fights. Doerr (GER) beat him in the quarterfinal at the World Championships in Jordan, so it was good to get revenge.”
GB PLACINGS: Archer 8th, Tofalides 9th, Birch 44th, Hendrie 46th, Rattan 54th, Bailey 63rd, Lloyd 71st, Brosnan 79th, Rai 80th, Fitton 91st, Schlindwein 99th, Woollard 101st, Clarke 103rd, Chu 104th, Donovan 110th, Minott 121st, St John 132nd, Robinson 137th, Watson 138th, Corlett 143rd.
(Front page image courtesy of Graham Morrison.)
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