TBILISI, Jul 28 (Kyodo/APP): Olympic gold medal-winning fencer Koki Kano became Japan’s first epee world champion with a 10-9 overtime win against Hungary’s Gergely Siklosi in Sunday’s final in Tbilisi.
A year after claiming Japan’s first individual Olympic gold in the sport in Paris, Kano etched his name in history again after edging his fellow 27-year-old in the Georgian capital in a rematch of the Summer Games’ team final decider won by the Hungarian.
“I’m happy to have got another ‘first-ever’ (title for the country),” Kano said.
The Japanese fencer went on the offensive in the sudden-death overtime, reversing tactics from their previous encounter, and scored the decisive point with a thrust to his opponent’s chest.
“I was intent on launching the attack first,” he said.
Kano beat compatriots Akira Komata and Masaru Yamada in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively, en route to his championship.
“I felt my body was moving significantly well from the first round and managed to continue through to the final,” said Kano, who has not felt any dip in his motivation since his Olympics triumph.
“I always feel my efforts have paid off whenever I compete and win tournaments in the sport I love. I want to win even more medals.”
Nikita Koshman of Ukraine won the bronze along with Yamada.
In the women’s sabre, two-time reigning champion Misaki Emura of Japan went out in the third round.