Ysaora Yhibus smiled again. Almost one after the silver medal gleaned in Tokyo with the France team, the world No. 10 won this Tuesday in Cairo (Egypt) the title of world champion. A magnificent revenge for the 30-year-old Guadeloupean, who lived through very difficult times at the end of the last Games despite the team silver medal.
By beating (15-10) the Italian Arianna Errigo in the final, the recent bronze medalist at the last Europe in Turkey also offered her first major international title, she who had until then multiplied the medals (six of silver and twelve of bronze). The 30-year-old, who touched her first iron at Les Abymes at the age of seven, is more than ever at the top of her career. A few minutes later, it was Romain Cannone, the Olympic epee champion, who confirmed that he was the boss of the discipline by becoming world champion.
Cannone beat the Japanese Kazuyasu Minobe in the final, 15 touches to 12, before sharing his joy with the other swordsmen of the French delegation. The 25-year-old fencer, world number one in his discipline, was crowned Olympic champion to everyone’s surprise last summer in Tokyo and thus confirms his new status and his domination over the world epee. He brings France its second title in these Worlds, a few minutes after the gold won by Ysaora Thibus in foil.
Maxime Pianfetti went for the silver medal in the saber on Monday.
For her part, Ysaora Thibus left the world No. 4 no chance. Above all, she has hovered over her opponents since the first hours, leaving them only 27 points (a little over six per game!) on the way before the final assault. In the final, Arianna Errigo, world No. 4, is of a completely different caliber with her eight world championship titles. It is however the Frenchwoman who quickly takes the lead (9-5). As in Tokyo with her teammates, Thibus sets the record straight against Italy, accustomed to winning almost everything for years.
At 13-9, she comes to seek comfort and the latest recommendations from Race Imboden, her companion. The American with a good track record (seven World Cup titles), whom she met at the Rio Games in 2016, is also her coach. With the tracksuit of the France team, it does not go unnoticed on the edge of the track. He is the one who reassures her. And since this Tuesday his guardian angel.
On Tuesday, the fashion and art enthusiast, defender of the status of women, will have the opportunity to do the team double with her friends. She already knows that she can count on them and in particular Pauline Ranvier, eliminated this Tuesday in the quarter-finals.