Alexander Massialas and Race Imboden advanced to the top-16 in preliminary round competition in the men’s foil event today.
Massialas (18), who is the youngest fencer in this event, advanced with a win over Etienne Lalonde Turbide (CAN) and Race Imboden defeated Guitherme Toldo (BRA) 15-5. In their top-16 matches Massialas will face Artur Akhmatkhuzin (RUS) while Imboden faces off against Italy’s Andrea Baldini.
Benjamin Kleibrink will not have the chance to defend his 2008 Gold Medal as he lost in the opening round to 2008 silver medalist Yuki Ota. Ota won the bout 15-5. Ota will face Andrea Cassara (ITA) in the 16.
The final fencer to make the 16 was Korea’s Byungchul Choi who defeated Zhu Jun (CHN) 15-13. Choi will face Erwan Le Pechoux (FRA) in the 16.