TOKYO, Japan, Dec. 13-15, 2019—Italian world champion Alessio Foconi took the men’s individual foil gold medal at the 2019 H.I.H. Prince Takamado Trophy Men’s Foil World Cup in Tokyo, with France winning men’s team foil. The competition drew 211 men’s foilists and 19 teams from around the world. This World Cup, which was also an official Test Event for fencing, took place in the Makuhari Messe in Chiba City where fencing will be held at the 2020 Olympic Games.
Foconi won the final match of the men’s individual foil event against France’s Maxime Pauty, 15-5. Pauty defeated Russian world champion Alexey Cheremisinov in the semifinal round, 15-10, while Foconi beat teammate and Olympic champion Daniele Garozzo, 15-10. Notably, Foconi overcame another teammate and world champion, Andrea Cassara, in the quarterfinals, 15-8, and Cheremisinov beat French world champion Enzo Lefort, 15-6. Russian world champion Dmitry Zherebchenko lost in the round of 16 to teammate Cheremisinov, 15-12.
In men’s team foil, France scored the gold medal against USA, 45-39. The USA won against Russia in the semifinal, 45-34, and France overcame Italy, 45-27. The bronze medal went to Italy over Russia, 45-38.
Final rankings for men’s individual foil included Alessio Foconi (ITA, gold), Maxime Pauty (FRA, silver), Alexey Cheremisinov (RUS, bronze), Daniele Garozzo (ITA, bronze), Enzo Lefort (FRA), Alexander Massialas (USA), Andrea Cassara (ITA) and Nick Itkin (USA).
Ranking for men’s team foil included France (gold), USA (silver), Italy (bronze), Russia, Korea, Hong Kong, China and Japan.
Complete and official results for the event may be found here on the FIE web site. For more exciting world fencing news and features on the Road to Tokyo, check out the FIE video series on our YouTube channel.