🇮🇹 BATTISTON CLAIMS MAIDEN GRAND PRIX GOLD AT ORLEANS WOMEN'S SABRE

ORLEANS, FRANCE - 7 DECEMBER 2025

Italy's Michela Battiston, 28, secured the first individual senior international title of her career, winning the Women's Sabre Grand Prix in Orleans, the opening Grand Prix event of the international season. The World Number 8 defeated a surprising Hungarian finalist, Anna Spiesz, in an extremely close final bout with a score of 15-14.

Spiesz (HUN), 20, claimed the silver medal, marking her first senior international medal. The World Number 55 had a phenomenal run to the final, fighting through the preliminary qualification rounds to make the second day. Her impressive run included a major upset victory over reigning Olympic Champion Apithy (FRA).

The bronze medals were shared by Paris 2024 Olympic silver medallist Sara Balzer (FRA) and Italy's Mariella Viale. Balzer, 28, fought through the qualification rounds and secured her place on the podium before losing her semi-final bout to Spiesz. For 20-year-old Viale (ITA), the bronze marks her first senior international medal, losing to her teammate Battiston in the semi-finals.

Path to the Podium

Battiston's path to the gold was a true test of nerve, with three of her direct elimination bouts decided by a single point. She notably defeated World Number 1 Yoana Ilieva (BUL) 15-14 in the quarter-finals before beating her compatriot Viale 15-8 in the semi-final. In the final, she held off Spiesz's charge to secure the 15-14 victory and the Grand Prix title.

Spiesz’s performance was the story of the event. After defeating the Olympic Champion and the Olympic silver medallist, she reached the final. Her final victory was a hard-fought 15-13 win against the home favourite Balzer in the semi-finals.

Balzer secured her bronze by defeating Luca Szucs (HUN) 15-13, and Viale's strong run included a victory over Olga Nikitina (AIN) 15-12 in the quarter-finals.

Full results from the Orleans Women's Sabre Grand Prix are available here.