Japan’s Koki Kano took gold at the Peter Bakonyi Men’s World Cup in Vancouver, British Columbia last weekend, while Russia made it three-in-a row in the team competition.
Japan’s 21-year-old rising star in epee, Koki Kano, has followed up his World Cup bronze in Heidehnheim, Germany last month, with gold in Canada. Defeating resurgent veteran Enrico Garozzo in the final, 15-7, the win sees Kano’s ranking rise to a career-high 4th in the world on the FIE’s chart. To reach his first senior international final, he defeated France’s Alexandre Bardenet, who had won in Heidenheim, outclassing his older opponent, 15-8
Garozzo, who was at one stage ranked in the top 5 in the world, beat USA’s Jacob Hoyle in their semifinal by the closest of margins, 15-14, meaning the American claimed his second consecutive medal at this level. Earlier, Garozzo had taken out 2012 Olympic gold medal winner, Ruben Limardo Gascon from Venezuela in the table of 8 by the same scoreline.
The winner of this event last year, veteran world number two from Ukraine, Bogdan Nikishin, exited early, while world number one, Yannick Borel from France was absent, opening up the draw.
In the team event, Russia was too strong for Israel in the final, taking it 45-36 to make it three-in-a-row in World Cup competition this season. Earlier they had dismantled the French 45-33, while Israel had defeated Denmark 45-42 in a close semifinal battle. In the playoff for bronze, France were too strong for the Danes, 45-32.
Full Results
Men’s Epee Individual
1. Koki Kano (JPN, Gold)
2. Enrico Garozzo (ITA, Silver)
3. Alexandre Bardenet (FRA, Bronze)
3. Jacob Hoyle (USA, Bronze)
5. Ruben Limardo Gascon (VEN)
6. Dmitry Alexanin (KAZ)
7. Romain Cannone (FRA)
8. Federico Vismara (ITA)
Full results on FIE.org
Men’s Epee Team
1. Russia (Gold)
2. Israel (Silver)
3. France (Bronze)
4. Denmark
5. USA
6. Ukraine
7. Germany
8. Czech Republic
Full results on FIE.org
