The Hellenic Fencing Federation is once again organizing the international event in collaboration with the World Fencing Federation (FIE) and with the support of the Attica Region. The Hellenic Fencing Federation is once again organizing the international event in collaboration with the World Fencing Federation ( FIE) and with the support of the Attica Region. The “Acropolis” cup was honored with their presence by the executive president of the World Fencing Federation, Manolis Katsiadakis, as well as the president of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, Spyros Kapralos.
Despina Georgiadou (PAO) and Dora Goundoura (AO Ariston Paanias) were the two Greek women who participated in the main draw of 64. Unfortunately, Georgiadou was defeated in her first match by the Canadian Pamela Brendamoor with 15-14 and ended her presence in individual world cup with 33rd place. She stated the following: “I am always happy to be at my home, in the Acropolis. This year I felt the weight of home, that I had to do well and bring a result in these games after two golds. The event was not held in the right conditions due to the unpleasant events of the last few days with the accident in Tempe, so I was not feeling well in the races. It was a bad result but it’s over, it’s already in the past. Now we’re on to what’s next,” while for her It’s very important that I had my people to support me, whether I came first or last. I also discussed with my coaches (Christian Bauer and Christos Sainis) and they both told me that I need to learn to better manage this anxiety I have for the crucial matches that are coming. Lately I have also been doing sessions with a sports psychologist in France. With the pressure we have and the situations we experience, it is necessary for athletes to have a professional to guide us.”
Gundura, on the other hand, defeated the Hungarian Renata Katona (FIE No54) with 15-12 in the round of 64, the American Magda Skarbonkiewicz (FIE No43) with a score of 15-10 in the round of 32, the Chinese Yaki Shao (FIE No70) with 15-9 in the round of 16 and the Italian Michela Battiston (FIE No19) in the quarter-finals. Race after race, Thanasis Delenika’s athlete found rhythm and self-confidence and thus managed to secure entry to the winners’ podium. She then competed in the second semi-final against Ukraine’s Olga Karlan (FIE No12) of two Olympic bronze medals and four world titles, whom she lost in the last shot 15-14 after a thrilling match. The Greek finally won the bronze medal, which is also her third for the current competitive season. He had won another bronze in November 2022 at the world cup in Algiers and a silver in February 2023 at the world cup in Tashkent, when they made it 1-2 together with Despina Georgiadou. See here her statements and here the statements of the federal epee coach, Thanasis Delenikas, after the completion of the games.
It should be noted that the top two Greek female fencers have kept Greece on the podium in the last six top women’s saber events, starting with the July 2022 world championships in Cairo with Georgiadou taking bronze. This was followed by the Goundura bronze in Algiers, the Georgiadou bronze in Orléans, the Georgiadou gold in Tunis, the Georgiadou gold and Goundura silver in Tashkent, and now the Goundura bronze in Athens. This is a unique achievement that honors Greek fencing.
The winners’ podium:
1. Sugar Katinka Batai (Hungary)
2. Olga Karlan (Ukraine)
3. Manon Apiti Brunet (France)
3. Dora Goundura (Greece)
Acropolis 2023 – Individual results
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