Fencing World Cup: Europeans dominate pre Beijing 2008 fencing showdown

(BEIJING, June 16) -- Five titles were decided at the Villa de La Habana Fencing World Cup and 2008 FIE World Championships held in Havana, Cuba from June 6 to June 15 -- the last high quality warm-up event before the Beijing Olympic Games.

The singles matches of the women's epee were wrapped up first.

World No 5, Schalm Sherraine from Canada claimed the title, beating China's Zhong Weiping 15-9 in the quarterfinals, then top seed, Li Na, 15-14 in the semifinals before defeating World No 3, Branza Ana from Romania, 11/10 in a tight contest to take the gold medal and add 32 points to her world ranking.

German duo, Marijana Markovic and Imke Duplitzer, shared third place, but China's women fencers failed to live up to their potential. World No 1 Li Na, did best for the Chinese team by finishing 5th.

World No 2 Peter Joppich from Germany took the men's foil crown by beating China's Lei Sheng 15-8 in the semifinals, then Italian fencer Andrea Baldini 15-10 in the final. Defeated semifinalists, Lei Sheng and Simon Vanni of Italy, won bronze medals.

The men's team foil contest went to Italy, with Germany, second, and China, third, although the Chinese team will not be entered for the Beijing Olympic Games.

Italy's Vezzali Valentina, took gold in the women's singles foil to add 64 points to her ranking, after defeating Svetlana Boiko of Russia in the final, with Carolin Golubytsyi of Germany and Malgorzata Wojtkowiak taking bronze.

Poland secured the women's foil team title ahead of Italy and Russia .

Over 300 fencers from 34 countries took part in the ten-day event, which also adds useful world rankings points for the participants.