Blue fencing touches the sky with a finger: six medals in two competitions, two of which are gold, an all-Italian podium in the women’s foil and a doubles in the men’s epee. The first day of the Individual Absolute European Championship in Plovdiv 2023 delivers results never before achieved. The platforms of Bulgaria are dedicated by European champions fencer Martina Batini and epee player Davide Di Veroli.
Two silver medals, for Martina Favaretto in foil and for Federico Vismara in epee, and two bronze medals, again in foil, for Francesca Palumbo and Alice Volpi. The Italian national team had not won a gold in the men’s individual epee since the 1981 European Championships in Foggia, when Angelo Mazzoni won.
Paolo Azzi, President of the Italian Fencing Federation, is enthusiastic: “An exciting, epic day. The foil girls and the sword boys have given us a joy that passes from news to history. And I would like to emphasize that this Italian triumph came in two races of extremely high technical level, with the best of the old continent and the leaders of the world rankings on the podium. Not only has Italy excelled in Europe, but it has also proven to be a world power“.
It is an absolute record for the women’s foil. All four the athletes supervised by coach Stefano Cerioni You stand on the podium. In the end it is Martina Batini who wins the all-blue final against Martina Favaretto, who has to retire due to injury, 9-6 behind. To reach the two semifinals with four Italians, Martina Batini beats Spain’s Castro (15-4), Francesca Palumbo beats Poland’s Lyczbinska (15-8), Alice Volpi wins the round of 16 against Brit Stutchbury (15-14) and then wins against French Patru.
Martina Favaretto first edged out France’s Thibus (15-11) and then beat Poland’s Walczyk Klimaszyk (15-8). In the semifinals, Martina Batini beats Francesca Palumbo 15-12 while Martina Favaretto beats Alice Volpi 15-9. The men’s sword is an azure doublet. Spectacular fight between Davide Di Veroli and Federico Vismara, which the Roman athlete won 15-14.