Zamkovojs wins silver in Sofia, Ābele bronze in France at fencing European Cup stages

Latvian fencers achieved two notable results over the past weekend, winning medals at European Cup stages held in Bulgaria and France.

Zamkovojs takes silver in Sofia

Epee fencer Danils Zamkovojs delivered a strong performance at the U-23 European Cup stage in the Bulgarian capital, Sofia. In the group stage he recorded four wins in six bouts, qualifying for the knockout rounds as the tenth seed.

He then went on a string of convincing victories, defeating opponents from Bulgaria, the host nation, Italy and Belarus as he advanced round by round toward the podium. In a tight final bout against a fencer from Jordan, the Latvian athlete came up short but still secured the silver medal.

Ābele claims bronze in Antony

In the women's foil event at the "Eurofence League" tournament in Antony, France, which drew more than a hundred competitors from across Europe, Latvia's leading foil fencer Liene Ābele shone. In her group she won five of six bouts, losing only to the reigning European champion.

In the knockout stage, entering as the 31st seed, Ābele defeated several higher-ranked opponents, including the host nation's second-seeded favorite. Her semifinal against an experienced French fencer was extremely close, with the home fencer prevailing by the narrowest of margins, leaving Ābele with the bronze medal.

A second Latvian foil fencer, Polīna Kozlova, also competed, winning all six of her group-stage bouts. However, she was forced to withdraw from the knockout stage due to health issues after winning her first elimination bout.

The two medals highlight the strong level of Latvian fencers at the start of the new season.