The 2023 World Junior and Cadets Championships in Plovdiv opened with Emmanuel Nardella’s bronze. On the first day of competition in Bulgaria, Polian finished third in the men’s under-20 saber event, giving Italy its first World Championship medal.
Nardella succumbed only in the semifinals to American Colin Heathcock, who reaffirmed his world title. The American beat Blue 15-6, later defeating Japan’s Mao Kokubo in the final with a score of 15-12.
Nardella’s journey has been exciting, who won in the round of 16 and always in the quarter-finals with the last ball 15-14, beat first Frenchman Alexandre Lacaze and then Nigerian Ivan Girault. Italy, which almost scored twice on the podium, given that Marco Mastrulo succumbed to the Japanese Kokubu 15-13 in the quarter-finals. Eliminated in the first round by Eduardo Cantini and Marco Stigliano.
The US gold double on the first day, given the success in the women’s struggle, went to the American Magda Skarbunkiewicz, who defeated Japan’s Yuina Kaneko 15-11 in the final. A bronze medal for each of the Turkish Nisanur Erbil and the Hungarian Anna Spisz.
Unfortunately, the blue path did not go beyond the round of 32. But Michela Landi was beaten on the last punch 15-14 by Skarbonkiewicz. Maria Clementina Poli was also eliminated in the same round, while Carlotta Faucetti and Manuela Spica were also eliminated in the first round.
Photo: Bizzi/Federscherma
Read all of the day’s news on OA Sport
“Introvert. Avid gamer. Wannabe beer advocate. Subtly charming zombie junkie. Social media trailblazer. Web scholar.”
