“Dylan had a great performance, and we’re extremely proud of what he accomplished today,” confirmed Igor Gantsevich, National Team Manager at these World Championships.
With this Bronze Medal win, French also earned himself a berth for the Youth Olympic Games to take place in China this Summer.
After a series of five victories and one defeat in the qualifying rounds Friday, the 16 year-old athlete made his way to the elimination rounds.
Once there he faced Venezuela’s Carlos Mendoza and Israel’s Theo Kletz and was back in action Saturday for the round of 32.
Dylan bettered Japan’s Akira Komata 15-7, then went on to beat Egypt’s Ahmed El Sayen in the round of 16.
“The Egyptian athlete will be one to watch in future years,” commented Gantsevich. “He’s very strong and played very well today against Dylan. It was a tight match.”
In the quarter finals, French was paired against Sweden’s Linus Islas Flygare and came out the winner with a final score of 15-14.
Trailing behind in 7-4 at the beginning of the second bout, French was still trailing slightly by the start of the third.
The Canadian epeeist rallied back to a score of 13-13, while a double touch brought the two adversaries to 14-14. In the end, it was French who scored the final and decisive point.
Igor Grantsevich told the media “The Swedish fencer is one of several really strong athletes at this competition. Dylan focused all his energy to beat him.”
In the semi-finals, American Justin Yoo put an end to French’s progress in a hotly contested match that ended with a score of 15-12.
“Dylan was as good as the American fencer; I honestly believe that this match was simply a case of having just a few less chances. A single touch would have totally changed the outcome,” offered Gantsevich.
Hungary’s Patrik Esztergalyos beat Yoo 15-14 for the gold medal, while fellow Hungarian Gergely Toth rounded out the medals with the other, remaining bronze.
Vancouver’s Qifan Wang saw his day come to an end in the round of 32, finishing in 31st place; Sahil Bablani (Toronto) ended with an 82nd place ranking.
In Women’s épée, Alexanne Verret of Quebec was the highest-ranking Canadian with a 30th place finish, while Vancouver’s Emma Von Dadelszen and Toronto’s Cindy Gao also competed and ended their day in 49th and 62nd places.
Congratulations to Dylan and the Dynamo Fencing Club of Richmond.
Dynamo Fencing is located at
Suite 3122-12811 Rowan Pl, Richmond, BC V6V 2S6
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