Alessio Foconi (ITA) and Lee Kiefer (USA) grabbed the gold medals at the foil Fencing Grand Prix in Turin, Italy in early December. Turin was playing host to the first of nine Fencing Grands Prix this season. The series features three Grand Prix in each of the three weapons and visits nine iconic cities around the world.

Foconi claimed his maiden Grand Prix win with a surprise victory over the world No. 1 Alexander Massialas (USA) by a score of 15-7. “I wanted to win because I’ve never won a Grand Prix,” said the 27-year-old Foconi, who moves up nine places to No. 10 in the world rankings. “My best result was a second place in Cairo so I’m very happy.”

On the women’s side Kiefer also recorded her first career Grand Prix victory after finishing runner-up to world No. 1 Arianna Errigo (ITA) twice last season.

Ranked second in the world, Kiefer defeated her compatriot Nicole Ross (USA) 15-8 in the gold medal match.