Sunday Wrap-UP (10/09/2005)

Photos by Alex Ripa

Sunday: Two new world champions were crowned at the 79th Fencing World Championships's in Leipzig, Germany.

Men's Epee Top 4

Men's Epee was fenced first. French fencing phenomenon, Fabrice Jeannet (who began the day as #5 in the world), beat his even-higher-ranked brother, Jerome, to enter the top 4. Netherlands fencer Bas Verwiljen also made the 4, first upsetting Germany's strong hope for gold, Daniel Striegel (15-14), and then further upsetting Switzerland's Marcel Fischer 15-13 (2004 Athens Gold Medal Winner). Rounding out the semi-finals were the reliable Pavel Kolobkov (Russia) and an inspired Claus Moerch (Norway), world #22.

Kolobkov was heavily challenged by Verwiljen, who credits his success this year (he went from 48th in the world, to 10th) to hard work and a new 24/7 fencing center in the Netherlands. Verwiljen earned twice as many touches as Kolobkov in the third period, and managed to bring the game into overtime, but it was Kolobkov who won the final critical touch. Jeannet was less challenged by Moerch, who never found an angle that workeda against the tall Frenchman.

The final bout featured Jeannet's tempo and reach against Kolobkov's speed and power. Early on, it was Kolobkov that controlled the bout. Jeannet was able to launch a few actions, but could never decisively grab a lead. While trying every tactic, Jeannet scored only one touch without Kolobkov scoring at the same time.

Jeannet went all out in the second period, his strip-spanning lunge that catching the Russian off guard. Kolobkov answered with his lightning fleche. They score doubled until 13-12 for Kolobkov, and they entered the final round without any clear leader. Then Jeannet drew Kolobkov's lightning fleche -- and took a last-minute parry riposte to tie the game at 14-14. Two more double touches yielded no decisive outcome. Kolobkov won the final point with a risky move that left his blade bent backward. He waved it as the crowd gave him a standing ovation.

Women's Foil Top 4

US Fencer Hanna Thompson advanced out of 64, but soon ran into Germany's Anya Mueller, eventual finalist. Powerhouse and perennial Vezzali-foe Sylwie Gruchala was also eliminated during an overtime bout against France's Adeline Wuilleme.

Italy's Valentina Vezzali was competing a mere four months after giving birth to her son. While she frequently looked exhausted and injured in the early rounds, she won her bouts with a comfortable point margin. Hungary's Edina Knapek fought past fencers like Germany's Carolin Neckermann and Russia's Svetlana Boiko to be the final member of the top four.

Wuilleme fenced competently against Mueller in the first period, but lacked inspiration and was ripe for a run of points. Mueller found her attack in the middle of the second period, and during the third she clocked up a terrifying run -- 5 attacks, one counter-attack, three parry ripostes, and one remise -- answered by one point from Wuillieme.

After an empty first period (Vezzali scored one point), and 4-point rally from Knapek in the second period, the Italian fenced strategically. She forced out just enough attacks and counter-attacks to edge ahead in the score, and there she kept it as the time ran down. With growing anxiety, Knapek launched desperate attacks -- the clock timer stayed on :01 for three consecutive actions, so fast were the attacks. Vezzali, however, scored the final touch and put an end to the game.

An inspired Mueller met Vezzali in the final. Mueller was boosted by a friendly home-town audience (which cheered, screamed, and engaged rhythmic clapping with a drummer who beat out new cheers). Vezzali merely looked tired. However, although Mueller knocked out touches with flair, some of them quite inspirational, she couldn't move categorically beyond a Vezzali comeback. Vezalli only outscored Mueller in the third period, and there by two touches -- but it was enough.

Monday will see new champions in Men's Sabre and Women's Epee.