Olympic qualification resumes in men's epee and men's foil
Three months after the last international Olympic qualifying event – the Senior World Championships in Catania, Italy – the world cup circuit resumed this weekend with the men’s epee world cup in Legnano, Italy, and the men’s foil world cup in Paris, France.
World cup men’s epee in Legnano
In Legnano, Dmitry KARUCHENKO (UKR) prevailed in the final against Ulrich ROBEIRI (FRA) and collected valuable points for the Olympic qualification. Finishing 3rd respectively 5th, Yannick BOREL (FRA), Radoslaw ZAWROTNIAK (POL ), and Matteo TAGLIAROL (ITA) put pressure on Ronan Gustin (FRA), Gauthier GRUMIER (FRA), Alfredo ROTA (ITA) and Nikolai NOVOSJOLOV (EST) for the remaining three qualifiers.
2011 World Champion Paolo PIZZO (ITA), vice Champion Bas VERWIJLEN (NED), and bronze medallist Fabian KAUTER (SUI) experienced early upsets in Legnano but are nevertheless on a good way to London 2012.
Results world cup men’s epee (Legnano, Italy)
1. Dmitry KARUCHENKO (UKR)
2. Ulrich ROBEIRI (FRA)
3. Radoslaw ZAWROTNIAK (POL)
3. Yannick BOREL (FRA)
5. Matteo TAGLIAROL (ITA)
6. Gabor BOZCO (HUN)
7. Anton AVDEEV (RUS)
8. Dmitriy ALEXANIN (KAZ)
World cup men’s World cup men’s foil in Paris
2011 World champion Andrea CASSARA (ITA) dominated the men’s foil world cup in Paris, France, defeating MA Jianfei (CHN) 15:8 in the final. US junior fencers Race IMBODEN and Alexander MASSIALAS shocked the world’s best with a stunning performance and finished both 3rd.
ITALY placed first in the team event that was especially relevant for the Olympic qualifications, winning against GERMANY 45:39 in the final and doing another big step towards London 2012. Germany is now back in the race while the hopes of FRANCE received a blow in the quarterfinal match with the 38:45 loss against rival RUSSIA.
Results individual world cup men’s foil (Paris, France)
1. Andrea CASSSARA (ITA)
2. MA Jianfei (CHN)
3. Race IMBODEN (USA)
3. Alexander Massialas (USA)
5. Byung Chul CHOI (KOR)
6. Yuki OTA (JPN)
7. Igor ZAPOZDAEV (RUS)
8. Peter JOPPICH (GER)
Results team world cup men’s foil (Paris, France)
1. ITALY
2. GERMANY
3. RUSSIA
4. CHINA
5. FRANCE
6. USA
7. JAPAN
8. KOREA
Info Olympic qualification in fencing:
For all disciplines, the Olympic qualification period ends on 31 March, 2012.
Like women’s sabre, men’s epee will have only an individual event at the Olympic Games in London. Hence, only individual results are taken into account for the qualification.
In women’s epee, women’s foil, men’s foil and men’s sabre, the primary qualification is through the FIE Team rankings with some additional slots held open for individuals to qualify.
For more details on the Olympic qualification system, have a look here.