This article was automatically translated from HIBAPRESS, the Arabic version:
Hibapress
The Hungarian fencer Gergely Siklosi and his compatriot Eszter Muhari won the gold medals of the Fencing World Cup (sword) in the men and ladies categories, disputed on Saturday in the Omnisports M’hamid covered room in Marrakech.
Thus, in the individual test (ladies), Eszter Muhari beat the Russian Russian Aizat Murtazaeva in the final by 10 keys at 9 during a very tight duel.
Among men, the Hungarian swordsman Gergely Siklosi (3rd in the world) won the gold after his victory against Czech Jakub Jurka (27th in the world) by 15 keys at 14.
As for Moroccan participation, Houssam Elkord, the only national fencer, who was still in competition in the final table (64 fencers), was eliminated in the 16th finals by French Lilian Nguefack (15-8).
During the first round, Houssam Elkord had beaten a major opponent, namely the French Alexandre Bardenet (26th in the world) on the score of 15 to 14.
In a statement to the map, Houssam Elkord highlighted the high level of the competition during this World Cup, which brings together the best fencers on the planet.
“Alexandre Bardenet and Lilian Nguefack, my opponents today, are also my training partners in France,” he said, noting that he managed to win against Alexandre Bardenet, former world number 5 and world champion in teams, but unfortunately he lost his duel against Lilian Nguefack.
And to add that he aspired to deliver a better performance and to shine in Marrakech, expressing his pride in appearing among the 20 best fencers in the world and to represent Morocco with dignity on the international scene.
For his part, the president of the Royal Moroccan Fencing Federation (FRME), Youssef Fathi, praised the unprecedented organization in Morocco of a sword World Cup (men and ladies, individual and team tests), noting that the reception of this kind of global sporting events is likely to contribute to the influence of the kingdom internationally, to promote this noble sport and to motivate practitioners Moroccans to persevere in order to be able to participate in this kind of international competitions, which brings together the best fencers in the world.
He also recalled that the Federation has, for 15 years, implemented an action plan which now bear fruit: Morocco occupies 24th place in teams, while Houssam Elkord ranks 20th at the individual level.
For his part, the director of this sporting event and deputy president of the FRME, Mohamed Nahi, explained that the choice of Marrakech to welcome the sword World Cup constitutes a source of pride, welcoming the smooth running of the tests, thanks to the mobilization of the federation and local authorities.
Placed under the high patronage of King Mohammed VI, this sporting event, organized by the FRME under the aegis of the International Fencing Federation, knows the participation of more than 700 athletes representing more than 90 countries.
Note that Sunday will be devoted to team tests (men and ladies).
