Italian
The young fencer Simone Mencarelli becomes European champion on his debut. First medal for Italy at the 2026 European Fencing Championships in Antony
ANTONY (FRANCE) – Italy’s adventure in France couldn’t have started better. First day of the 2026 European Championships in Antony and the first medal. The unexpected winner is the absolute debutant Simone Mencarelli. The twenty-three-year-old from Turin had already made it to the podium this season in the World Cup with a second place at the Grand Prix in Doha (Qatar) and third place in Medellín (Colombia).
But winning a gold medal and becoming European champion is completely another thing. The young fencer defeats the Israeli Alon Sarid in the final with a score of 15-12, bringing an Italian back to the continental throne of the specialty three years after Davide Di Veroli‘s success in the Bulgarian edition in Plovdiv.
A memorable day for Mencarelli, starting with five wins and only one loss in group 11, thus entering the main draw as the number 8 seed. His debut saw him defeat the Croatian Jakov Sola 15-5, and then win in the extra minute 11-10 against fellow countryman Andrea Santarelli.
In the round of 16, it was the turn of the Czech Martin Rubes, defeated 15-7. Impressive was the comeback in the quarter-finals where the Italian was down 5-10 and, again in extra time, went on to win 14-13 against the Spaniard Alvaro Fernandez Calleja, thus securing a historic medal, the first as a senior.
In the semifinals against the Danish Conrad Seibaek Kongstad, Mencarelli had to deliver yet another outstanding performance, winning 15-14. In the final, he faced the Israeli Alon Sarid and defeated him 15-12.
Today, on the second day of the European Championships in Antony 2026, the program will continue with two more individual events: the women’s foil and the men’s sabre. For Italy, the fencers Martina Batini, Anna Cristino, Arianna Errigo, and Martina Favaretto will be on the piste, along with the sabre fencers Cosimo Bertini, Michele Gallo, Matteo Neri, and Pietro Torre. From 7:15 PM, the final stages will be broadcast live on RAI Sport and Eurosport.
2026 European Men’s Individual Foil Championships | Antony, June 16
HERE are the results
Ranking (116): 1. Simone Mencarelli (ITA), 2. Alon Sarid (ISR), 3. Neisser Loyola (BEL), 3. Conrad Seibaek Kongstad (DEN)
The other Italians: 19. Matteo Galassi, 23. Andrea Santarelli, 36. Davide Di Veroli
2026 European Women’s Individual Sabre Championships | Antony, June 16
HERE are the results
Ranking (59): 1. Lucia Martin-Portugues (ESP), 2. Yana Egorian (AIN), 3. Alina Komashchuk (UKR), 3. Toscane Tori (FRA)
The Italians: 13. Mariella Viale, 14. Manuela Spica, 20. Claudia Rotili, 28. Michela Battiston
European Championships 2026 | Antony (France), June 16-21
June 16, 2026 (Finals at 7:15 PM)
Men’s Individual Foil (1. Simone Mencarelli, 19. Matteo Galassi, 23. Andrea Santarelli, 36. Davide Di Veroli)
Women’s Individual Sabre (13. Mariella Viale, 14. Manuela Spica, 20. Claudia Rotili, 28. Michela Battiston)
June 17, 2026 (Finals at 7:15 PM)
Women’s individual foil (Martina Batini, Anna Cristino, Arianna Errigo, Martina Favaretto)
Men’s individual sabre (Cosimo Bertini, Michele Gallo, Matteo Neri, Pietro Torre)
June 18, 2026 (Finals at 7:15 PM)
Women’s individual foil (Rossella Fiamingo, Giulia Rizzi, Alberta Santuccio, Sara Maria Kowalczyk)
Men’s individual foil (Guillaume Bianchi, Filippo Macchi, Tommaso Marini, Tommaso Martini)
June 19, 2026 (Final phases at 5:15 PM)
Men’s team foil (Davide Di Veroli, Matteo Galassi, Simone Mencarelli, Andrea Santarelli)
Women’s team sabre (Michela Battiston, Claudia Rotili, Manuela Spica, Mariella Viale)
June 20, 2026 (Final phases at 5:15 PM)
Women’s team foil (Martina Batini, Anna Cristino, Arianna Errigo, Martina Favaretto)
Men’s team sabre (Cosimo Bertini, Michele Gallo, Matteo Neri, Pietro Torre)
June 21, 2026 (Final phases at 5:15 PM)
Women’s team foil (Rossella Fiamingo, Giulia Rizzi, Alberta Santuccio, Gaia Caforio)
Men’s team foil (Guillaume Bianchi, Filippo Macchi, Tommaso Marini, Tommaso Martini)
The blue athletes called up
Men’s Foil: Guillaume Bianchi, Filippo Macchi, Tommaso Marini, Tommaso Martini
Reserve in Italy: Giulio Lombardi
Women’s Foil: Martina Batini, Anna Cristino, Arianna Errigo, Martina Favaretto
Reserve in Italy: Alice Volpi
Men’s Sabre: Cosimo Bertini, Michele Gallo, Matteo Neri, Pietro Torre
Reserve in Italy: Leonardo Reale
Women’s Sabre: Michela Battiston, Claudia Rotili, Manuela Spica, Mariella Viale
Reserve in Italy: Vittoria Mocci
Men’s Sabre: Davide Di Veroli, Matteo Galassi, Simone Mencarelli, Andrea Santarelli
Reserve in Italy: Gianpaolo Buzzacchino
Women’s Sabre: Rossella Fiamingo, Giulia Rizzi, Alberta Santuccio, Sara Maria Kowalczyk (individual only), Gaia Caforio (team only)
Photo Augusto Bizzi/FIS
