Tokyo 2020 Fencing Podcast

The FIE has made the tough decision to suspend international tournaments globally because of the Covid-19 Pandemic for 30 days. Dave and Bash talk through the details of the suspension including which events are postponed and talk about the possible outcomes for Olympic Qualification plus what you can do to protect yourself and others.

Support the show

Dave and Bash discuss the individual Epee Grand Prix event in Hungary with just one more qualifier to go in both the men's and women's disciplines. Want to find out who has qualified now and who needs to wait until the last event? This is this only place to find out!

Support the show (http://patreon.com/FencingTokyo)

Support the show

What a weekend of epee. Lets get the easy ones out of the way. France are qualified in pole position. Italy are qualified – they can’t be caught by the multiple European teams needed to beat them. Likewise USA are qualified as the best PanAm team. Interestingly Switzerland are not yet qualified – there are scenarios for the last World Cup in Buenos Aires which could knock them out if they do badly (e.g. 1. HUN, 2. KOR, 3. UKR).

Korea winning in Vancouver has really shaken this table up. Please remember that the “4th” column (the worst world cup result) is the most important number here. Because we only count 4/5 results, teams need to improve on their worst result to change their score. Korea’s worst result was only a last 32 in Heidenheim, so they have the opportunity to score a huge amount of points compared with the teams around them.

For example, Korea could move into the top 4 (replacing Ukraine) by finishing 16th! If Korea finish 8th, Ukraine would have to finish 4th to maintain their top 4 place. This has huge implications for both Hungary and Russia – and throws a lifeline to China, who had a tough day after losing to Korea by one hit in the last 16. Small margins...

Speaking of Russia and Hungary, Hungary have a 3 point lead but also 3 points extra in their 4th result, so it’s very even. Remember that Hungary would win any tiebreak due to their gold medal in Heidenheim. If Korea make the top 4 then I don’t think either will qualify without a big result.

Similarly, Japan is close to China, but China has a material advantage with their 4th result being a last 32 finish in Paris.

And then we need to talk about Egypt. They’re doing everything they need to do – making last 16’s and sometimes winning more matches. But they’re not safe. They can be overtaken by Spain/Estonia/Germany (and maybe Poland) – realistically all 3 of those teams need good results in Buenos Aires to knock Egypt out of the top 16 and open up an Extra Place.

In the individuals, a win by Bas Verwijlen (NED) moves him comfortably into the second European place. The possibility that neither Russia or Hungary (or Ukraine!) qualify in the teams is still a concern though.
Ruslan Kurbanov (KAZ) benefits from Korea moving into the qualification places – Park Sangyoung (KOR) doesn’t need an individual place.
Better days in Vancouver for the Japanese team, but Yamada Masaru (JPN) is a long way ahead.
Next is Budapest, then it’s all finished in Buenos Aires.

Support the show

Olga Kharlan (UKR) wins her second GP of the season to move well ahead at the top of the rankings. Theodora Gkountoura (GRE) has closed the gap to Bianca Pascu (ROU) to only 2 points after a top-32 finish. Pascu lost in the 64.

Tamura Norika (JPN) extended her lead for the first Asian place with a top-32 finish. Emura Misaki (JPN) finished in the 64.

With no more Grand Prix left in Sabre, there are limited opportunities to score material points. Gabriella Page (CAN) looks to have enough of a gap over Maria Belen Perez Maurice (ARG). Likewise Bhavani Devi (IND) is looking good for qualification - assuming the teams stay the same
In the men's event, Bolade Apithy (FRA) wins his second GP of the season, and Sandro Bazadze (GEO) took bronze to move well ahead of all European rivals

A great day for Joseph Polossifakis (CAN), finishing in the top 32, but surely he is too far behind Shaul Gordon (CAN)?

Xu Yingming (CHN) closed the gap on Wang Shi (CHN) to only 5 points for the first Asian place. The second Asian place continues to be very interesting. Yoshida Kento (JPN) has a 1.75 point lead over Vu Thanh An (VIE), 4.5 point lead over Kaito Streets (JPN), and a 5.5 point lead over Yousef Alshamlan (KUW). This could be very close.

Support the show

Russia and Italy are pulling away with 1st and 2nd - again! A full strength France lost to Hungary in the 8 - quite a surprise - are they feeling the pressure? USA finishing 6th probably enough for the Canadians, but how does a great Egyptian result change things?

Support the show