Mariel Zagunis wins New York World Cup

Aldo Montano (ITA) wins the Men’s Sabre event.

Mariel Zagunis (USA) defended her #1 world ranking and used a 5-0 run in the first period to engineer a 15-13 victory over Reka Benko (HUN) to capture the gold medal at the New York world cup.

Benko started out using her long attacks and ability to dodge with her body to get a fast 2-0 start, but Zagunis turned it around with a 5-0 run ending in a one-light closeout of the Hungarian to put her stamp on the bout.  Benko made a short rally to bring the bout back to 8-7 at the break.

After the break Benko took a 10-9 lead on an acrobatic touch that had the Hungarian leaning back “Matrix” style to avoid Zagunis’ attack.  The lead would be short lived as Zagunis took the next 3 touches to take the lead for good at 12-10.  All Benko could do was try to keep pace and Mariel won the bout 15-13.

In the Men’s final, Aldo Montano (ITA) pulled out the stops and commanded the entire 2nd period en route to a 15-7 victory over Apithy (FRA).  Both fencers showed their creativity  in the bout but Montano was too much for Apithy.  At the break Montano had put together an 8-6 lead but started the 2nd with a 6-0 run.  Two of the calls were controversial as the 11th touch was a close call in the middle for Montano.  On the next touch Apithy looked to have make a brilliant parry-riposte but Montano protested and the side judge confirmed that Apithy had gone off the rear limits of the strip, which gave Montano his 12th touch.  In the end Apithy would earn one more point and Montano won 15-7.