A year after his surprise title at the Tokyo Olympics, Frenchman Romain Cannone became world epee champion on Tuesday July 19 at the Cairo Fencing Worlds. Cannone beat the Japanese Kazuyasu Minobe in the final, 15 touches to 12, a few minutes after the title won by Ysaora Thibus in foil.
The 25-year-old fencer, world number one in his discipline, was crowned Olympic champion to everyone’s surprise last summer in Tokyo and thus confirms his new status and his domination over the world sword. It brings France its second title in these Worlds. In addition, Maxime Pianfetti went for the silver medal in saber on Monday.
Earlier, Ysaora Thibus of France was crowned foil world champion. Bronze medalist in 2017 and silver in 2018, Thibus finally won gold thanks to her victory in the final against the Italian Arianna Errigo, 15 touches to 10. The 30-year-old Guadeloupe managed to bounce back from her disappointment in the summer last at the Tokyo Olympics, where she was taken out in the second round of the individual tournament. Ysaora Thibus is the first French foil fencer crowned world champion since the title of Marie-Chantal Demaille in 1971.