They are emerging as serious contenders for gold at the Paris Games (July 26-August 11). French sabers Cécilia Berder, Manon Brunet-Apithy, Sarah Noutcha and Sara Balzer won the Athens World Cup event. The French shooters dominated the Ukrainians, led by Olga Kharlan, 45 to 30, Sunday March 3, in the final. In the semi-finals, they defeated the Italians 45 to 40.
The French sabers are reigning European champions and won silver at the 2023 Worlds last summer. They had already won the stage in Lima, Peru, three weeks ago. This success ensured the team qualification of the French women for the Olympics, which automatically delivers three places for the individual event.
Sunday’s victory comes the day after Sara Balzer’s coronation in the individual event, accompanied on the podium by Manon Brunet-Apithy, third. The 28-year-old from Strasbourg, European vice-champion in 2023, has had a string of successes over the past twelve months, with four World Cup victories and a solid place as world number 1.
On the men’s side, sabers Boladé Apithy, Jean-Philippe and Sébastien Patrice, and Maxime Pianfetti took third place on Sunday in the World Cup stage in Padua, Italy. A podium which also guarantees them their team qualification for the Olympic Games.