The French sabers lost by the smallest possible margin (45-44) in the bronze medal match against the United States at the World Fencing Championships in Milan on Friday. Tricolor fencing therefore has its first day without a medal since the start of the competition on Tuesday. Her counter remains stuck at three, so she will not be able to match the eight podiums of last year in Cairo where she was ranked best nation.
The French men’s saber awaited a first world medal since 2007 and silver from Vincent Anstett, Nicolas Lopez Julien Pillet and Boris Sanson. Last torchbearer on Friday, Sébastien Patrice led by one touch with only one remaining to register (44-43) against the new American world champion Eli Dershwitz, without being able to conclude.
The referee first interrupted the attack as Patrice, bronze medalist, was about to sign the touch of the medal. Then the Frenchman missed the target with his boot, the “kangaroo kick”. There are four events left for French fencers, women’s foil and men’s epee, qualified for the quarterfinals and therefore the final phase is scheduled for Saturday, as well as men’s foil and women’s saber then.