“I feel very excited, very surprised, because Nicole, Arianna, and Volpi are all amazing competitors,” said the 22-year-old Kiefer. “It’s just amazing to be on the podium with them.” Kiefer beat local favourite Errigo 15-11 in the semi-finals.

In Doha (QAT) the eight-time African epee champion Sara Besbes (TUN) claimed victory in the women’s competition, beating Violetta Kolobova (RUS) in the gold medal match. Besbes, the 2015 world bronze medallist and world No. 4, overcame her Russian opponent 15-8 for her first Grand Prix title.

The 27-year-old Tunisian narrowly missed out on the medals at the Rio Games, finishing fifth, but was in imperious form in Qatar, winning all her matches by at least a three-point cushion. For the 25-year-old Kolobova, the 2015 European champion, it was a best result at a Grand Prix.

In the men’s competition Youngjun Kweon (KOR) took his first career title by defeating France’s Alexandre Bardenet (FRA) 15-13 in the final. Kweon, whose previous best was silver at the 2013 Asian Championships, had dispatched his fellow countryman Sangyoung Park (KOR), the Olympic champion, in the quarter-finals.