🇰🇿 KURBANOV ENDS TITLE DROUGHT WITH GOLD IN HEIDENHEIM
Updated: Aug 5
HEIDENHEIM, GERMANY — 6 FEBRUARY 2026
Kazakhstan’s Ruslan Kurbanov delivered a vintage performance to claim the gold medal at the Heidenheim Men’s Epee World Cup, the third of the season. The World Number 9 secured his first major senior international title in nearly a decade—his first since winning the Asian Championship in 2017—by edging out Italy’s Davide Di Veroli 15–14 in a high-stakes final.
Di Veroli (ITA), the 2023 European Champion, took the silver medal. The result holds personal significance for the Italian, as it marks a repeat of his silver-medal performance in Heidenheim exactly seven years ago in 2019.
The bronze medals were shared by Doha Grand Prix winner Tristan Tulen (NED) and World number 2 Mohamed Elsayed (EGY). Tulen continues his exceptional run of form following his recent GP victory, while Elsayed, the reigning African Champion and Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medallist, matched his podium finish from this same event last season.
Path to the Podium
Ruslan Kurbanov’s route to the gold was a test of nerve, starting with a narrow 15–14 win over teammate Almzhanov in the 64. After eliminating Hungary’s Nagy and World number 7 Akira Komata (JPN), he survived another one-touch thriller (12–11) against teammate Zhulinskiy in the quarter-finals. Kurbanov maintained his composure to defeat Tulen 15–9 in the semi-finals and clinched the title with a 15–14 victory over Di Veroli.
Davide Di Veroli reached the final by showcasing the defensive prowess that made him a European Champion. His path was highlighted by a tense 13–12 victory over World number 17 Alexis Bayard (SUI) in the round of 16. In the semi-finals, he delivered a tactical masterclass to dismantle Mohamed Elsayed 14–7.
Tristan Tulen (NED) proved that his recent Grand Prix win was no fluke. He reached the semi-finals after a series of high-profile upsets, most notably a 15–13 win over World number 5 Matteo Galassi (ITA) and a 10–9 defensive gem against the reigning Olympic and World Champion, Kano Koki (JPN), in the quarter-finals.
Mohamed Elsayed (EGY) demonstrated why he is the World number 2, dominating the early rounds with convincing scores. His path to the podium included a 15–10 victory over world number 8 Jakub Jurka (CZE) in the quarter-finals before he was eventually slowed by Di Veroli in the final four.
