Olga Harlan. Photo: Reuters
Brilliant victory sablistka Ukrainian Olga Harlan ended the tournament series “Grand Prix” in Seoul.
For the second year in a row, she had no equal on the Korean fencing tracks.
The path to the final 28-the summer native of Nikolaev was not easy. After the starting of the match sweatshirts (from the preliminary round thanks to a high place in the ranking, it was released) Japanese Misaki Amurai (15:10), Harlan met with the uncompromising Sarah Balzer. 24-year-old Frenchwoman was leading 8:4, 10:6, but the Ukrainian sablistka managed to break the fight and to pull out a victory – 15:14.
1/8 finals with the experienced Italian Irene Vecchi was developing in an opposite scenario. Harlan from the first seconds took the initiative – 6:1. But after the break, which the opponents went with the score 8:4, world and European champion in the team managed to restore the status quo – 10:10. Fortunately, in the end of the battle, the Ukrainian has proved that today it is still stronger – 15:13.
In the 1/4’s ward, Yuri Marchenko, Vadim and Oleg Gutzeit Shturbabina taught a master class champion and Youth Olympic games-2018 Hungarian Lisa Pusti – 15:8, after which he secured a place in the final with a victory over the current world champion in the team by the Frenchwoman Manon Brunet – 15:12.
The duel for gold between the two Olympic Champions – our Olga Harlan and the owner of the personal gold of the Games in London 2012, in addition, also the owner of the track, Kim JI-Yeon became a real decoration of “Grand Prix Seoul”.
The battle took place on an equal footing, at the end of our sablistka managed to break two points ahead 14:12. But the favorite of the local audience didn’t surrender and leveled the score 14:14. The last sentence ended with a masterpiece shot Harlan – 15:14.
Korean gold was for Olga first awards this season and 15 in his career on the competition series “Grand Prix”. Also note that the tournament in Seoul opened selection in Tokyo 2020.
Anna SAVCHIK, Sport-Express in Ukraine
SEOUL. The stage of “Grand Prix”. Saber. Men. 1. About Sang Wook (Korea). 2. Szilagyi (Hungary). 3. Hartung (Germany), Kim Chung Hwan (Korea)… 24. BERRY (Ukraine).
1/32 finals. BERRY – Lowe (Kong) is 15:13. 1/16 finals. Dershwitz (USA) – BERRY – 15:8.
Women. 1. HARLAN (Ukraine). 2. Kim JI Yong. 3. JI Yeon (both Korea), Brunet (France)… 48. TOMASHUK,… 64. VORONIN. 81. BAKASTOVA… 89. KRIVACKA… 134. ZHOVNIR (Ukraine).
1/32 finals. Berder (France) – VORONINA – 15:13. HARLAN – Emura (Japan) 15:10. Gregorio (Italy) – COMASEC – 15:12. 1/16 finals. HARLAN – Balzer (France) – 15:14. The 1/8 finals. HARLAN Vecchi (Italy) – 15:13. 1/4 finals. HARLAN Pusztai (Hungary) is 15:8. 1/2 finals. HARLAN – Brunet – 15:12. The final. HARLAN – Kim JI Yeong – 15:14.