2023-07-30 18:52:08
The French sabers were beaten by Hungary in the final of the World Championships (45-38), this Sunday in Milan, after having led a large part of the meeting. The trio of world No. 1 Sara Balzer, Manon Apithy-Brunet and Caroline Queroli failed to get revenge in the 2022 final, where they lost to the same opponent.
Les Bleues seemed set for a convincing success, after taking the lead in the first stint, then gradually increasing their lead since then to bring it to seven touches (18-25). But an impressive stint from substitute Anna Marton against a helpless Balzer brought Hungary back to level (29-29).
???????? WORLD VICE-CHAMPION! ????
What a season for our sabers! European champions, vice-world champions… the way is set for 2024!
Well done Sara Balzer, Manon Apithy-Brunet, Caroline Queroli, Margot Rifkiss (but also Cécilia Berder!) ???????? pic.twitter.com/EHFj92cwLh
— French Fencing Federation (@ffescrime) July 30, 2023
It was enough to derail the blue mechanics: in the next stint, their opponents passed in front for the first time in the match, before Marton, once again, completely asphyxiated Apithy-Brunet to offer a boulevard ( 40-34) to teammate Liza Pusztai. Full of composure, exulting at the top of her lungs after each touch, the latter did not hesitate to conclude.
A third place in the medal standings
In previous rounds, Les Bleues had mastered their subject, holding off Japan (45-39) in the quarterfinals, then sweeping Ukraine (45-32) in the semi-finals to gain confidence. Disappointed individually, where they could legitimately aim for a podium after their fratricidal final at the last European Championships but had settled for a quarter-final, Balzer and Apithy-Brunet still ended this Italian campaign with a medal. But certainly not the expected metal.
Earlier in the day, the French men’s foil team, led by individual silver medalist Enzo Lefort, lost in the quarter-finals to China (38-45). The Blues therefore complete these Worlds with six medals, with a title (the swordsman Marie-Florence Candassamy in individual). A record below that of the previous edition in Cairo, but which nevertheless allows the Tricolores to finish in third place in the medal table, just behind Italy (ten medals, including four titles) and Hungary (four medals , three titles). Next major event in sight, now: the Olympic Games in Paris.
#Fencing #Worlds #French #sabreuses #viceworld #champions