IN THE CALL ROOM: Alex Choupenitch
Updated: Sep 19
ALEX CHOUPENITCH ON MAKING HISTORY, HANDLING PRESSURE AND A 15–2 WORLD FINAL
20 August 2026
In the debut edition of In The Call Room, newly crowned Men’s Foil World Champion Alex Choupenitch sits down with Karim Bashir to reflect on his historical triumph in Hong Kong. After making history as Czechia’s first ever World Champion in fencing, Choupenitch breaks down the tactical masterclass that led to his gold medal and offers a candid look into life beyond the strip.
Here are three key highlights from the interview:
Navigating the Crucible of Direct Elimination: Choupenitch details his marathon day in Hong Kong—from entering the venue at 6:30 AM to surviving an agonising quarter-final clash against Russia's Egor Barannikov. He reveals the exact mental reset and tactical adjustments that allowed him to turn a 9–4 deficit into a race-to-the-finish victory, highlighting why remaining calm under extreme pressure is his greatest competitive edge.
Behind the 15–2 Final Masterclass: Facing Paris 2024 Olympic silver medallist Filippo Macchi in the gold medal bout, Choupenitch delivered one of the most dominant performances in World Championship history. He shares what it felt like to be completely "in the zone," explaining how subtle micro-adjustments in distance kept him one step ahead and why he felt he was executing the best fencing of his life.
Celebrations, Celebrities, and National Inspiration: From throwing a 1,000-person public celebration in his hometown square featuring a UFC fighter on the piste to receiving a formal invitation to meet the President of the Czech Republic, Choupenitch reflects on carrying the mantle of World Champion. He discusses using his platform to inspire the next generation of young Czech fencers and stepping outside the "sport bubble."
