🇨🇿 CHOUPENITCH MAKES HISTORY AS CZECHIA'S FIRST WORLD FENCING CHAMPION

HONG KONG — 25 JULY 2026

Czechia’s World number five Alexander Choupenitch authored an unforgettable piece of sporting history on the fourth day of the 2026 World Championships, capturing the men’s individual foil title. Competing at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze medallist produced a breathtaking performance in the gold medal bout, routing Paris 2024 Olympic silver medallist Filippo Macchi of Italy 15–2.

The monumental victory marks Choupenitch's first World Championship title and crowns him as Czechia's first ever World Champion in fencing.

While Macchi took home the silver medal, Hungary's Daniel Dosa and Japan's Iimura Kazuki secured the individual bronze medals.

Path to the Podium

Alexander Choupenitch (World number five) delivered a flawless day of foil fencing to claim his historic gold medal. Entering as a pre-qualified seed, the Czech star opened his campaign with a 15–11 victory over Mexico's Maximo Azuela before overwhelming Poland's Adam Jakubowski 15–6 in the round of 32. Choupenitch continued his march by defeating newly crowned European Champion Rafael Savin of France 15–8 in the last 16 and survived a 15–14 quarter-final battle against Russia's Egor Barannikov. He then out-pointed Hungary's Dosa 15–8 in the semi-finals before unleashing a stunning 15–2 masterclass against Macchi in the final.

Filippo Macchi (World number seven) showcased his elite championship credentials to reach the gold medal fight. The Italian pre-qualified seed fought through a tough opening draw, turning aside Korea's Kim 15–13, Japan's Toshiya Saito 15–10 and Korea's Im 15–12. Macchi earned his place on the podium by edging World number one Kirill Borodachev of Russia 15–14 in a quarter-final cliffhanger. He then stormed into the final with a dominant 15–6 semi-final win over Japan's Iimura but ultimately fell short against Choupenitch.

Daniel Dosa (World number 16) put together the finest run of his career on the World stage to secure a hard-earned bronze medal. Pre-qualified for the direct elimination bracket, the Hungarian foilist began with a 15–4 win over Qatar's Owada before dispatching Russia's World number 17 Anton Borodachev 15–11. Dosa pulled off a major upset in the round of 16 by eliminating World number one and reigning World Champion Choi Chun Yin Ryan of Hong Kong 15–13. He then defeated Brazil's Guilherme Toldo 15–10 in the quarter-finals before losing to Choupenitch in the semi-finals.

Iimura Kazuki (World number six) guaranteed his place on the World podium by producing a series of clinical tactical displays. The Japanese pre-qualified seed launched his knockout campaign by routing Brazil's Pedro Marostega 15–6 and outlasting Australia's Glasson 15–13. Iimura dismantled Egypt's World number 11 Abdelrahman Tolba 15–8 in the last 16 and secured his bronze medal by out-duelling Italy's World number 13 and 2023 World Champion Tommaso Marini 15–11 in the quarter-finals before falling to Macchi.

Full results are here.