Tibilashvili, Osvath claim second World Cup golds

Tibilashvili – the Tokyo 2020 silver medallist and first Georgian wheelchair fencer to win a Paralympic medal – triumphed in the women’s sabre category A.

An intensely close final against Ukraine’s world and European bronze medallist Yevheniia Breus saw the two women incredibly closely matched throughout.

This was so much so that with the scores level at 14-14 even the referee had to use a video review to decide if the last touch should be awarded to Tibilashvili.

The two women will now advance to the European Championships being help in Warsaw, Poland, from 29 November – 4 December.

Great Britain’s Gemma Collis grabbed her third sabre medal of the season with bronze. Home favourite Eva Andreja Hajmasi also occupied the podium’s third spot.

The semi-finals and final are available to watch again at the IWAS Wheelchair Fencing website alongside results.

Another Paralympic silver medallist, Osvath, secured his second men’s foil category A World Cup gold of the season against Italy’s Emanuele Lambertini.

In a couple of weeks Osvath will try to improve on his European silver medal from four years ago.

It was a close match between him and Lambertini that ended 15-12, giving fans a glimpse into the level of competition they can expect in Warsaw.

Italy enjoyed double podium success as Matteo Betti claimed bronze alongside Poland’s Michal Nalewajek.

Ukraine’s Olena Fedota-Isaeva improved on her silver from Thursday’s epee to claim gold in the women’s sabre category B.

The Paralympic medallist and European champion went head-to-head in close clash with Italy’s Rossana Pasquino, beating her by just two points in the final.

Hungary’s Boglarka Mezo returned to the podium in her first sabre competition of 2022, taking bronze. The European and World Championships silver medallist will be hopeful of a medal at the upcoming Euros.

The applies also to Poland’s Jadiwga Pacek who managed her first top three sabre finish since 2018 alongside Mezo.

Brazil’s Jovane Guissone, the Tokyo 2020 silver medallist and London 2012 champion, dominated the men’s epee category B.

Poland’s Michal Dabrowski settled for silver against Guissone but will be satisfied with his 100 per cent podium record from four World Cups this year, and pushing Guissone to a 15-11 scoreline.

Patryk Banach and Kamil Rzasa concluded a great day for Poland with a bronze each ahead of their home Euros.

The Eger 2022 IWAS Wheelchair Fencing World Cup continues in Hungary on Saturday (19 November) with the women’s foil category A and B and men’s sabre category A and B.

Photos are available for editorial use here.