Dariusz Pender regains world No. 1 status

The Grand Prix event in Montreal marks the start of an intense period of activity in the wheelchair fencing calendar with the next major event taking place in Lonato, Italy, later this month (23-25 May).

Poland's Dariusz Pender won his first title since July 2013 at the IWAS Wheelchair Fencing Grand Prix in Montreal during the first week of May, regaining world No. 1 status in the men’s category A.

Pender knew just one point would be enough to take the top spot, but the large victory put a clear margin between him and France's Romain Noble, who did not compete in Montreal.

A return to the top of the rankings was one of many highlights for the Polish star, who looked unstoppable on the piste at the Claude-Robillard Sport Complex. Pender was also part of the Polish team that won the men's category A epee team event and then added a third gold medal to his haul by beating Hong Kong's Win Kin Chan to take the category A foil title.

Pender was not the only top performer to shine with multiple victories in Montreal.

Brazil's Jovane Silva Guissone, evoked memories of his gold-medal-winning performance at London 2012 as he won both the men's category B epee and foil events.

In the women's category A events, it was Justine Charissa Ng of Hong Kong who dominated. Ng defeated the higher-ranked Marta Fidrych 15-8 to take the epee title before beating her compatriot, Pui Shan Fan, by the same margin to win gold with the foil. Canada's Ruth Sylvie Morel, a native of Montreal, finished seventh in the epee competition.

In the women's category B competitions, Germany's Simone Briese Baetke maintained the form that has seen her become world No. 1 in both the women's category B epee and foil events. She won both titles in emphatic style, beating Cecile Demaude of France in each of the finals.

The French athletes put in a remarkable squad performance in Canada, taking home 19 medals in total, though just one of them gold. Robert Citerne was the sole title winner from the successful French camp. He defeated Hong Kong's Meng Chai Cheong to win the men's category A sabre competition.

In the category B sabre event, it was an all-Polish final. Adrian Castro comfortably beat countryman Grzegorz Pluta 15-4 to take gold. The biggest cheers, however, were for Canada's Pierre Mainville who made the podium in his home country by finishing joint third with France's Marc Andre Cratere

The Grand Prix event in Montreal marks the start of an intense period of activity in the wheelchair fencing calendar with the next major event taking place in Lonato, Italy, later this month (23-25 May).