Brice Guyart of France beat two world champions yesterday as he claimed his first major championship men’s foil fencing individual gold medal at the Athens Olympics.
Guyart fought to a 15-13 comeback triumph over the 2001 world champion Salvatore Sanzo of Italy in the final of a competition in which he ousted the reigning world champion Peter Joppich of Germany in the quarterfinals.
Sanzo had to settle for silver to go with an individual and team bronze from 2000.
The bronze also went to Italy when Andrea Cassara won 15-12 over Renal Ganeev of Russia.
“I did not expect to win at the beginning of the day. I am very happy now. It is my first gold medal in individual foil. I have been on the podium one more time, but in team foil,” said Guyart.
At the end of the tournament I had to win two very difficult games to get the gold medal. I am proud,” he added.
After all, the Frenchman had to fight back from 14-12 down in his semifinal with Cassara before advancing into the final 15-14. In the gold medal contest he came back from 4-0 and 11-9 down.
The two Italians were not amused at all as they had come to Athens with only gold on their mind.
Cassera said: “I came here to Athens to win the gold medal. I was very sad after my lost at the semifinal but at least I took the bronze medal. It is better than nothing. I am happy for it because a medal in the Olympic Games is very important.
Cassera vowed revenge in the team event where the French won in 2000. But the Germans are also looking ahead at Saturday’s competition in general, and Joppich in particular.
Joppich said his loss against Guyart was no upset: “He is not unknown. Today was his day. But we want to make amends in the team event.”
