Italian Andrea Baldini wins gold medal at ST Petersburg Grand Prix – Fencing news:
The Italian Andrea Baldini impressed the Russian public by taking an incredible gold medal victory in Foil Grand Prix tournament at Saint Petersburg that ended on June 4. Baldini defeated his team-mate, Andrea Cassara, in the play-off for the medal victory.
The Foil tournament was named St. Petersburg Grand Prix and it was conducted by the Russian Fencing Federation. Total 141 male fencers of senior category took part in the competition. Baldini started his day first with pool matches victory as he remained
undefeated during all the bouts. He was given an automatic bye into the table of 64.
Baldini faced a German fencer, Moritz Kroeplin, in the table of 64, to whom Baldini defeated with a score of 12-14 in nine minute bouts. Advancing in the table of 32, Baldini got the rid of Italian Alessio Foconi by defeating him with 15-6 touches. After
overcoming Chinese Jianfei Ma in the table of 16, Baldini stepped forward to direct elimination’s quarter-finals round where German Peter Joppich was his opponent. The 2010 World Champion, Joppich could not stand against Baldini and lost his bout with the
score of 15-8.
Baldini said on his gold medal victory during prize ceremony, "This is the reward of a thousand sacrifices. It 'was a great day, where I threw well and I was feeling more positive. But there is always improving so you have to still work. Never let our guard
down."
The Italian Head Coach, Stefano Cerioni, commented on the victory, "Baldini and Cassara returned to their levels. They are in good shape and are expressing particular high school fencing. And 'that's what satisfies me most. George Avola very well, but defeated
by author of an excellent performance, Cassara. For younger people, is there a need for greater peace of mind in dealing with the attacks, but we will work on this."
Cassara overcame French Victor Sintes, while Baldini defeated Egyptian Alaa El Din El Sayed in semi-final round. After a tough fight of nine minutes, the score was tied at 13-13. The additional minute was in the favour of Baldini and he scored a touch for
a second gold medal victory of this year. Baldini had already won the gold medal last month at Seoul Foil World Cup and he was ranked third in the world ranking.
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