Representatives from six nations recently took part in the 15th edition of the “SPFC – Malta Open” in the three fencing disciplines, Foil, Epee and Sabre as well as the mixed team events.

Spanish fencer Juan Ruiz Alconero, showing superb technique and athleticism, won both the male Foil and Epee events taking the double title from local fencer Andre Zahra who was dogged by a knee injury forcing him to retire on the second day.

In the Foil final, Alconero faced Wilhelm Scharf (GER) who, at the end of the preliminary round, had been leading the event, edging him out of the top spot by 15 points to 11.

In the Epee final, Maltese fencer Marcus Muscat Baron, in excellent form, challenged Alconero for gold, losing however with a margin of five points.

Austrian Sabreur Willie Kravina took gold at the Sabre event with silver going to Kevin Alexander (GBR) – with a score of 15 – 10.

Although the women’s events saw fewer entries than the men’s competitions, they were nonetheless keenly contested with Anna Dunholter (ESP) taking gold at Foil with silver going to Barbara Schormair (GER).

In the women’s Epee, Katrina Smith (GBR) won a merited gold after defeating Dunholter with a narrow margin of 15 – 14.

The organising committee thanked Jim Pilkington, Ivan Vassallo and C. Zarkov for supporting the event.

The Italian Fencing Federation (FIS) provided the referee, Piero Cassarino, to preside over the whilst. Organisational and logistic duties were performed by Juan Formosa and Alexander Micallef.

Results

Men’s Foil

1st Juan Ruiz Alconero (ESP)

2nd Wilhelm Scharf (GER)

3rd Pierre Bianchi (MLT)

3rd Norman Martinez (MLT)

5th Zahra Andre (MLT)

Men’s Epee

1st Juan Ruiz Alconero (ESP)

2nd Marcus Muscat Baron (MLT)

3rd Pierre Bianchi (MLT)

3rd Tom Wilson (GBR)

5th Scott Willis (GBR)

Men’s Sabre

1st Willie Kravina (AUT)

2nd Kevin Alexander (GBR)

3rd Pierre Bianchi (MLT)

3rd Norman Martinez (MLT)

5th Paul V. Borg (MLT)

Women’s Foil

1st Anna Dunholter (ESP)

2nd Barbara Schormair (GER)

3rd Susan Ronald (MLT)

3rd Katrina Smith (GBR)

5th Michelle Falzon (MLT)

Women’s Epee

1st Katrina Smith (GBR)

2nd Anna Donholter (ESP)

3rd Susan Ronald (MLT)

3rd Romualda Vella (MLT)

5th Michelle Falzon (MLT)

Team Foil gold – JR Alconero, A. Dunholter, Kyle Borg

Team Epee gold – J. Pilkington, J. Formosa, S. Psaila

Team Sabre gold – W. Kravina, Stefano Psaila