LAUSANNE (May 17) – The resumption of the fencing World Cup circuit last weekend saw Olympic hopefuls start to find form at just the right time, with world No. 3 Olga Kharlan claiming the top prize at the women’s sabre event in Foshan, China.
The Ukrainian overcame Jiyeon Kim of South Korea 15-11 for her second World Cup gold of the season. The bronze was shared by local star Jiarui Qian and U.S. veteran Mariel Zagunis.
In the team event, France beat Russia for the gold, while Poland clinched the bronze.
At the men’s sabre World Cup in Madrid, Frenchman Vincent Anstett defeated Sandro Bazadze of Georgia 15-9 for victory. It was the world No. 13’s first gold medal of the season. Bronze went to Luca Curatoli and Junghwan of South Korea.
The Germans took home gold in the team event, overcoming the United States in the final, while Hungary claimed the bronze.
Russia hosted the men’s foil World Cup, where local boy Dmitry Zherebchenko clinched the gold with a 15-6 thrashing of his compatriot Dmitry Rigin in the northern city of St. Petersburg. Andrea Baldini of Italy and Britain’s James-Andrew Davis had to settle for the bronze.
In the team event, Italy clinched the gold, silver went to the U.S. and bronze to France.
This weekend sees the World Cup circuit rolls into Legnano, Paris, Tauberbischofsheim.