TUNIS, Tunisia, Jan. 9-11, 2026
In the women’s individual sabre, Alina Mikhailova (_AIN) reached the top of the podium in a field of 154 fencers, claiming a decisive 15–10 victory over top-ranked and two-time World Champion (2022, 2023) Misaki Emura of Japan. Mikhailova prevailed through strong blade actions and powerful attacking fencing.
She narrowly avoided elimination in the semi-finals, overturning a 14–12 deficit to defeat Nisanur Erbil of Türkiye 15–14, with Erbil taking the bronze medal.
Emura navigated a demanding path to the final, defeating 2024 Olympic Champion Manon Apithy of France 15–11 in the round of 32, before edging 2025 World Champion Yana Egorian 15–14 in the round of 16.
The other bronze medal went to Lucía Martín-Portugués of Spain, who was beaten 15–7 by Emura.
Final rankings – Women’s Individual Sabre:
Alina Mikhailova (_AIN, gold), Misaki Emura (JPN, silver), Nisanur Erbil (TUR, bronze), Lucía Martín-Portugués (ESP, bronze), Yoana Ilieva (BUL), Hayoung Jeon (KOR), Despina Georgiadou (GRE), and Toscane Tori (FRA).
Sébastien Patrice of France won gold in Tunis, Tunisia, topping a field of 175 fencers and defeating Hungary’s Krisztián Rabb, winner of the previous two Grand Prix in Orléans, France, and Seoul, Korea, by a score of 15–11. The competition was held at the Palais des Sports de Radès.
For Patrice, it was his first Grand Prix gold medal, having previously won three World Cup titles. The third-ranked Patrice was able to overcome the seventh-ranked Rabb by utilising his unorthodox and highly effective footwork, while also neutralising Rabb’s strong bladework.
While falling short in his attempt at a third consecutive Grand Prix victory, Rabb’s silver medal further underlined his rapid rise in the world rankings.
The bronze medals went to Ahmed Hesham of Egypt, who was beaten 15–10by Patrice, and Jean-Philippe Patrice, Sébastien’s brother, who lost 15–6 to Rabb.
Final rankings – Men’s Individual Sabre:
Sébastien Patrice (FRA, gold), Krisztián Rabb (HUN, silver), Ahmed Hesham (EGY, bronze), Jean-Philippe Patrice (FRA, bronze), Colin Heathcock (USA), Sangwon Park (KOR), Pietro Torre (ITA), and Maxime Pianfetti (FRA).
Watch for upcoming FIE Grand Prix events, including Doha, Qatar (epee, Jan. 23-25) and Turin, Italy (foil, Feb. 5-7).