🇮🇹 ITALY EDGES FRANCE IN THRILLER TO CLAIM MEN'S TEAM FOIL GOLD IN FUKUOKA
Updated: Aug 5
FUKUOKA, JAPAN - 7 DECEMBER 2025
The World Number 1 Italian Men's Foil team won a sensational final bout to take the gold medal at the Team World Cup in Fukuoka. The squad of Davide Filippi, Alessio Foconi, Filippo Macchi, and Tomasso Marini narrowly defeated the World Number 3 team France 44-43 in a tight contest that finished on time.
France, lining up with Anas Anane, Maxime Pauty, Rafael Savin, and Tyvan Bibard, claimed the silver medal after a stunning run to the final, which included victories over World Number 5 Hungary and World Number 2 USA. They pushed Italy to the very last touch in the gold-medal match.
The bronze medal was dramatically secured by the host nation, Japan. The World Number 4 Japanese team—featuring Iimura Kazuki, Matsuyama Kyosuke, Nagano Yudai, and Saito Toshiya—won the third-place play-off against the USA with a tight 45-43 scoreline.
Path to the Podium
Italy's run to the final included strong victories over AIN (45-40) and Egypt (45-35), followed by a decisive 45-36 win over Japan in the semi-finals, leading throughout.
The final was an epic battle between the two powerhouses. France held an early lead (15-14), but Italy fought back to lead 30-27 after six bouts. Despite a strong effort from France's Savin, who closed the gap to three points, Macchi managed to hold off the French charge to secure the single-point victory for Italy, 44-43, on time.
France’s road to silver was impressive, culminating in a semi-final victory over the World Number 2 USA team, 45-41, again leading throughout the match.
The bronze medal match between Japan and the USA was another closely fought contest. The USA, with Olivares replacing Itkin for the play-off, led 40-39 going into the final leg. However, Japan's Iimura delivered an exceptional performance against the USA's Alex Massialas, outscoring him 6-3 to overturn the single-point deficit and secure the bronze medal for Japan, 45-43.
Full results from the Fukuoka Men's Foil Team World Cup are available here.
