RIO DE JANEIRO - Daniele Garozzo (ITA) won the Olympic gold medal in the men’s individual foil on Sunday, beating Alexander Massialas (USA) 15-11 for his first senior title of any kind.
The 24-year-old foilist, who won the silver medal at the 2015 European championships, held off a late rally from his opponent to claim sport’s greatest prize.
"I think it's impossible. I really can't believe what's happening now. If you told me this yesterday, I wouldn't believe it. This is the best day of my life. I can tell no more. It's a dream come true." - Daniele Garozzo (ITA)
Massialas, the world No. 1 and world silver medalist, had produced an incredible comeback from 14-8 down to win his quarterfinal against Garozzo’s compatriot Giorgio Avola (ITA). It had appeared that an improbable second comeback - from the same score-line - was on the cards. But Garozzo got the final touch and the gold was his.
"Obviously I tried to make a run at the very end, scoring four touches in a row. I think I used up my luck of the day in my quarterfinal. … Unfortunately I just came up a little short today." - Alexander Massialas (USA)
Timur Safin (RUS), the European champion and world No. 12, held off a late rally by world No. 6 Richard Kruse (GBR) to win the bronze medal by a score of 15-13
"I feel very good. I got the bronze, but we are going to be trying to get more in our team tournament. The bronze at the Olympic Games is the most important medal I have ever had but I will be working more to get the gold." - Timur Safin (RUS)
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MEN’S INDIVIDUAL FOIL BULLETS:
- World No. 2 and world champion Yuki Ota (JPN) was defeated 15-13 in the second round by Guilherme Toldo (BRA), the world No. 66.
- By reaching the quarterfinals, Toldo equalled a record set on Saturday by Nathalie Moellhausen (BRA) as the best-ever performance by a Brazilian fencer at the Olympics.
- The reigning Olympic champion, Sheng Lei (CHN), lost to Erwan Le Pechoux (FRA), the world No. 15, by a score of 15-9 in the second round.
- The world No. 4, Gerek Meinhardt (USA), lost 15-13 to Richard Kruse (GBR) in the quarterfinals.
- James-Andrew Davis (GBR), the world No. 5, was beaten by European champion Timur Safin 15-13 in the last 16.
MONDAY, AUGUST 8 AT CARIOCA ARENA 3
The action continues on Monday with the women’s individual sabre.
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UPDATED FENCING RESULTS (most recent top):
MEN’S INDIVIDUAL FOIL:
- Gold: Daniele GAROZZO (ITA)
- Silver: Alexander MASSIALAS (USA)
- Bronze: Timur SAFIN (RUS)
WOMEN’S INDIVIDUAL EPEE:
- Gold: Emese SZASZ (HUN)
- Silver: Rossella FIAMINGO (ITA)
- Bronze: Yiwen SUN (CHN)
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