After six days of competition in the World Veterans Fencing Championships held in Livorno Italy from October 9 to 14, Japanese fencers gave Asia a reason to celebrate as they gathered a total of one gold medal, one silver and three bronzes
The largest world veterans competition ever with more than 900 fencers representing 59 countries from the 5 continents, Asia collected a total of six medals, five of which were won by Japanese fencers and one from Hong Kong.
Japanese Foil fencer Eiichi IDE was declared World Champion in the Men's Foil Individual event for over 70 y/o category, with compatriot Masashi NARITA capturing the bronze. Another Japanese Kenichi UMEZAWA completed the first day of competition by winning the Silver medal in the Men's Foil Individual event for the 60-69 category.
The Japanese Men's Foil team copped the bronze medal, while Yoshiku CHIKUBA carried the women's pride after she won the bronze medal in the Women's Saber Individual event for the 60-69 category. Hong Kong's YUNG Wang Yip salvaged the Silver Medal in the Men's Saber Individual Event for the 60-69 category.
A special treat in the competition was when Olympic Champion LUAN Jujie from China won the gold medal in the Women's Foil Individual, and silver in Women's Epee Individual events under the 60-69 category. LUAN however represented Canada which is now her nationality where she migrated after winning the first Olympic medal for China in the 1986 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.