Yakimenko takes #1 Ranking in Warsaw

Alexei Yakimenko (RUS) defeated Woo Young Won (KOR) 15-13 in the finals of the Warsaw Men’s Sabre Grand Prix.  With the victory, Yakimenko passed Nicolas Limbach (GER) to claim the #1 World Ranking on the FIE points list.  Limbach, injured in the Athens world cup, was back to top form, placing 3rd after losing to Won 15-6 in the semi-finals.  Giampiero Pastore (ITA) shared 3rd place, losing to Yakimenko 15-13 in the semi-final match.

On the US side, Daryl Homer and James Williams made the top-16.  Homer started the morning defeating Benedikt Wagner (GER) 15-12, then followed up with a nail-biting 15-14 win over Jaime Marti (ESP).  Homer then ran into Limbach.  Homer lead for part of the match, by as many as 4 touches but Limbach came back to win the match 15-11.

James Williams defeated Oleg Shturbabin (UKR) 15-12, then James Honeybone (GBR) 15-11 in the 64 and 32.  In the top-16 Williams fell to Canada’s Joseph Polossifikas 15-11.

Tim Morehouse and Jeff Spear made the top-32, placing 27th and 29th.  Morehouse won his opening round match against Van Holsbeke (BEL) 15-12 and then was tied with Aldo Montano (ITA) at 11-11 before losing 15-13.  Spear defeated Buikevich (BLR) 15-1 and then ran into Rares Dumitrescu (ROU) 15-5.

Ben Igoe lost his opening round match to Bolande Apithy (FRA) 15-7 and Mihail Etropolski lost a heartbreaker 15-14 to Renzo Agresta (BRA).

The tournament was run on the MASK scoring system (http://www.mat-fencing.com/).

Results: Warsaw Grand Prix.  Top 8 + US Finishes

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