The Russian sabre fencer Nikolai Kovalev added the first gold to the Russian national team's tally at the World Championships in Kazan.
In the round of 16, Nikolai Kovalev faced the tough prospect of the number one seed of the tournament, Junghwan KIM of Korea, but the Russian fencer managed to win a difficult tussle with his opponent. He was losing 4-9 but found strength to turn tables and win this epic bout, 15-12. Kovalev’s teammate Alexey Yakimenko followed suit by advancing to the next round.
In the table of 8, Kovalev posted an easy win over Aldo Montano of Italy while Yakimenko scored a narrow win over Woo Young Won of Korea, 15-14. But in the semifinal, Korea’s Bongil Gu put an end to Alexey's gold medal hopes. However, Yakimenko went on to take the bronze. Kovalev first beat Tiberiu Dolniceanu or Romania, 15-9, and later smashed Bongil Gu in the final, 15-7.
"Ten years ago my coach, Vladimir Dyachenko, and I made a bet: if I win the Senior World Championships, he will shave off his mustache. That was a bit of a driving force for me. I've already reminded him of it in public," Kovalev said after the final.
Russkiy Mir Foundation Information Service
