As we have already reported, in today’s competition of men’s fencers at the World Fencing Championships in Cairo Áron Szilágyi made it to the top four with a great performance, our three-time individual Olympic champion defeated another of our classics, the 2017 individual world champion András Szatmári 15-9, and in the quarter-finals he beat the Italian Pietro Torre 15-8. In the evening program, Szilágyi clashed with Georgian Sandro Bazadze in the semi-finals, whom he defeated 15-13 in a big battle between the four at the Tokyo Olympics last year, but lost to him 15-7 at the European Championship in Antalya four weeks ago. In the Turkish city, Bazadze continued to turn the blade excellently, so much so that he won the European Championship, so now the reigning Olympic and European champions clashed.
When Áron Szilágyi was leading 7-5, there was a two-point difference between the sides for the first time, at half-time there was a one-minute break at 8-5, but then the huge Georgian defended flawlessly twice, and then fought back, so 8-7- the position was changed to The moments of our competitor followed again, a head cut meant a 10-7 lead. At 10-9, the ace became very exciting again, but Bazadze could not equalize. And the final game clearly belonged to our Olympic champion, Szilágyi won 15-11. He was able to prepare for his first individual World Cup final, namely against the 25-year-old French Maxime Pianfetti, who was only 25th in the world ranking before the World Cup, and so far had not won a medal at the Olympics or World Championships, or even at a World Cup competition. On this day, however, he fought in inspired form, beating the Olympic champion South Koreans in two teams – one of them was world leader Kim Jong Hwan – and he also bid farewell to the individual silver medalist of the Tokyo Olympics, the Italian Luigi Samele.
Pianfetti also started the final overwhelmingly, trailing 6-3, but Szilágyi turned it around to 8-6. After the break, he went 10-6, then led 12-8 and 14-12, but the French equalized at 14-14, the ending could not have been more dramatic. In the final game, the jury favored the French in two controversial cases, and the judgment of the final draw was also preceded by a video. But after that, Szilágyi’s hand could swing high, he won 15-14, and became the individual world champion for the first time in his career! Pianfetti pointed out that he thought he had won, but that no longer mattered.
– I have won three Olympics since 2012, but the world championships did not go as I would have liked, I had a bronze medal and placed eighth in the finals. I would be lying to myself if I said that this world championship gold medal is not so important. It was very important and I am very, very glad to have it! – said Áron Szilágyi even before the announcement of the results.
More statements, videos ITT are found.
Cover photo: Áron Szilágyi was well focused throughout the day (Photo: MTI/EPA/MOHAMED HOSSAM)
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