One of the biggest surprises of the season’s opening two months was the victory of world No. 187 Anna Van Brummen at the second women’s epee event in Suzhou, China. The Singapore-born 22-year-old epeeist had just one top-50 finish at the senior level before her final triumph over Ukraine’s Feybi Bezhura (15-13). Tatiana Logunova and South Korea’s Sera Song were joint-third, while Ukraine topped the podium in the team event.

Logunova had previously won gold at the season-opening epee event in Tallinn, Estonia, beating compatriot Violetta Kolobova 9-8 in the final. Local favourite Irina Embrich shared bronze with Renata Knapik-Miazga of Poland, and the home crowd celebrated an Estonian team gold.

Vincent Anstett of France opened the sabre season by winning the Dakar World Cup event at the expense of Italy’s Enrico Berre (15-11). The bronze medal was shared by Daryl Homer of the United States and Italy’s Luca Curatoli, while Iran emerged victorious in the team competition.

Győr, Hungary staged the second sabre World Cup event but after the quarter-final defeat of home favourite and Olympic champion Aron Szilagyi – beaten by France’s Bolade Apithy – the event took on a South Korean hue. In an all-Korean final, 20-year-old Sanguk Oh claimed his first career gold medal by overcoming four-time Asian champion Bongil Gu 15-13. Apithy and Andras Szatmari of Hungary shared bronze, while Italy collected team gold.

Finally, Orleans, France, hosted season’s the first women’s sabre World Cup – the Trophee BNP Paribas – at which the home crowd saw Manon Brunet earn her first World Cup title courtesy of a 15-7 final triumph over Kim Jiyeon of South Korea. Japanese pair Chika Aoki and Norika Tamura won the bronze medal, and Italy team gold.

Results