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Sang-Young wins all-Korean men’s final of Qatar Grand Prix Fencing; Romanian Ana Maria downs former champ Navarria
Ayeni Olusegun
Doha
South Korea's Park Sang-Young showed poise and patience to win the Men's Individual epee in the 2017 Qatar Grand Prix Fencing Championship at Aspire Dome on Sunday.
The 2016 Rio Olympics Individual gold medal winner claimed gold after fellow countryman Jung Jin Sun who lunged for his opponent's face failed to connect to win 3-2 and claim the $6000 winner's prize.
Park defeated the 2017 fencing world champion Italian Paolo Pizzo in a closely contested semi-final which ended 15-13 in favour of the 22-year-old Korean. Jung in his semis saw off Italian Andrea Santarelli 15-11.
In the all-korean final, Park scored the first point as the younger fencer seemed a match for the much older Jung who will turn 34 in January. In a last ditch attack with Park leading 2-1, Jung lunged aggressively which Park deftly sidestepped and was awarded a point with an offence of his own.
Speaking after the match, Park said,"I am happy to have won again here in Doha. After the 2014 win, I lost in 2015 and 2016.
"I like being here in Doha and I am glad to have won this gold medal, it means a lot to me."
In the women's event, Rio Olympics gold medalist Romanian Ana Maria Popescu dominated former Qatar Grand Prix champion Mara Navarria 10-6 in a largely one-sided contest. Both athletes were cautious on approach but Popescu broke the deadlock with a flick move which caught Navarria off guard. The Romanian went on to lead 3-2 and in an attempt to tie, Navarria's move was deflected as Popescu surged ahead to claim a 9-5 lead.
The 2017 Qatar Fencing Grand Prix saw a total of 350 fencers from 35 countries. The event, which is being held since 2004, is rated as one of the major tournaments in the International Fencing Federation calendar and is counted as among the toughest competitions for fencers. This year's total prize money was increased to $30,000, a significant rise from $23000 on offer last year.
