Occhuizi makes the most of home advantage
This weekend saw Germany and Italy host men’s World Cup events.
Men’s Epee World Cup – Heidenheim
Just two Brits joined a massive field of 259 in Heidenheim for the individual World Cup event. Both Harris (V3D3) and Hudson (V3D3) made it to the first of three preliminary knockout fights to make the round of 64. Hudson defeated Sobiecki (POL) 15-11 but Harris lost 15-7 to Nycz (POL). British involvement ended in the second preliminary knockout where Hudson fell 15-11 to Trevejo (ESP). The event was won by Nikishin (UKR) who beat Robeiri (FRA) 14-11 in the gold medal match. The bronze medals went to Garozzo (ITA) and Zawrotniak (POL).
Great Britain did not enter the team event which was won by Italy who beat Hungary 39-32 in the final. China took the bronze medal by beating Korea 33-23.
GB Individual Placings: Hudson 149th & Harris 184th.
Men’s Sabre World Cup – Padua
Four British Men’s sabreurs headed to Italy, joining a field of 169 in the World Cup event in Padua. Alex Crutchett (V2D4), Honeybone (V3D3) and Ward (V3D3) progressed to the preliminary knockout stages but Clarke (V0D6) did not make the first round cut. In the first preliminary knockout Crutchett earned himself a bye with his first round results, Honeybone defeated Wrobel (POL) 15-11 but Ward was eliminated 15-10 by Peros (CAN). In the second preliminary knockout Honeybone beat Laurence (FRA) 15-13 to make the round of 64 but Crutchett was knocked out 15-14 by Lopez (ESP) in controversial circumstances. At 14-14 everyone around the fight felt that Crutchett had scored two good hits which the referee did not give. Honeybone faced Gu (KOR) in the round of 64 but was soundly beaten 15-5. In the final Occhiuzzi (ITA) beat Reshetnikov (RUS) 15-13 to take the title. Nuccio (ITA) and Szilagyi (HUN) took the bronze medals.
In the team event Great Britain defeated Spain 45-41 in the round of 32 with Honeybone winning the last leg 9-1 to seal victory. In the next round Russia proved too strong winning 45-30. In the placings matches Great Britain were due to fence France but the French team were black carded after an incident in their match with Italy. In the 9-12 placings match the Brits narrowly lost 45-41 to China and in the following match against Belarus lost 45-43 to finish 12th. The event was won by Italy who beat Hungary 45-43 in the gold medal match. Korea beat Germany 45-40 to take the bronze medal.
GB Individual Placings: Honeybone 61st, Alex Crutchett 74th, Ward 111th & Clarke 159th.
Next up on the international circuit are World Cup events for the Men’s Foilists in La Coruna & Women’s Sabreurs in Ghent.
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