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Rome 2017: More home success as Alessio Sarri strikes gold
Second time lucky for Italian fencer after losing first Worlds final 10 Nov 2017
Sarri (grey top) celebrates after winning the world title in the men's sabre category B at Rome 2017
After a heartbreak finals loss the previous day, Alessio Sarri struck gold to give his home fans more to cheer about on Thursday (9 November), day three of the International Wheelchair and Amputee (IWAS) Wheelchair Fencing World Championships in Rome.
The 44-year-old fencer defeated top-seeded Russian Albert Kamalov* 15-12 to be crowned the new world champion in the men’s sabre category B. The victory made up for his one-point loss in Wednesday’s epee final, and gave Italy their second gold medal in Rome, following Beatrice Vio’s earlier victory.
Russia finished the day with two world champions. Maxim Shaburov* held off Great Britain’s Paralympic silver medallist Piers Gilliver in the men’s epee category A. The duo battled it out with Shaburov taking the 15-12 win, adding to the gold he also won on Wednesday’s sabre event.
Reigning European champion Viktoria Boykova* had no trouble in her finals against Thailand’s Saysunee Jana, winning the women’s epee category B 15-10. It was the Russian’s second medal in the event, following her silver in the foil.
The women’s sabre category A featured an all-Ukrainian showdown. Yevheniia Breus held off Hungary’s Amarilla Veres in the semi-final 15-13 to face off against her teammate and No. 1 world ranked Nataliia Morkvych. Following an intense duel, Morkvych landed the winning blow to capture the world title 15-14, to go with the European title she won last year.
The IWAS Wheelchair Fencing World Championships continue Friday (10 November) with the women’s foil and men’s epee category C events; as well as team events in men’s foil and women’s epee. The Championships run until Sunday (12 November).
Complete and live results are available online .
*Editor’s note: The International Paralympic Committee suspended the Russian Paralympic Committee on 7 August 2016 for its inability to fulfil its IPC membership responsibilities and obligations, in particular its obligation to comply with the IPC Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Code (to which it is also a signatory). As a result of the suspension, Russian athletes cannot enter IPC sanctioned events or competitions, including the Paralympic Games.
