🥇 AIN STUNS WORLD NO. 1 ITALY TO TAKE MEN'S TEAM FOIL GOLD IN PALMA

PALMA DE MALLORCA, SPAIN - 9 November 2025

The Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN) team, ranked 25th in the world, claimed the gold medal at the Men's Team Foil World Cup in Palma de Mallorca. The squad, featuring Egor Barannikov, Anton Borodachev, Kirill Borodachev, and Vladislav Mylnikov, delivered a stunning performance in the final, defeating the World Number 1 and reigning Olympic team silver medallists Italy 45-36.

Italy, with a line-up of Guillaume Bianchi, Alessio Foconi, Filippo Macchi, and Tomasso Marini, settled for the silver medal after a dominant run was halted in the final by the low-ranked AIN team.

The bronze medal was won by the World Number 6 team, Hungary. The Hungarian team—comprising Almos Balint, Daniel Dosa, individual silver medallist Gergo Szemes, and Gergely Toth—defeated the other surprise semi-finalists, Germany, in a decisive bronze medal play-off 45-20.

Path to the Podium

AIN's route to the gold was nothing short of sensational. They overcame several top-ranked teams, defeating World Number 10 Korea and World Number 7 China, before knocking out World Number 2 USA 45-30 to reach the semi-finals. Their momentum continued there with a win over Hungary, setting up the final against Italy. AIN led the final from start to finish, culminating in a shock 45-36 victory.

Italy, meanwhile, showed their pedigree by reaching the final after solid wins against Great Britain, Hong Kong, and a commanding 45-27 semi-final victory over Germany.

Hungary earned their bronze after impressive victories over Croatia, Canada, and notably, the World Number 3 team and reigning Olympic Champions, Japan (45-37). They then dominated the bronze medal play-off against Germany, securing the podium finish 45-20. Germany, who finished fourth, impressed by edging out the World Number 4 team, the Olympic bronze medallists France, 45-44 in the Round of 16.

Full Results Link here.