🌍 MAIDEN SENIOR TITLE FOR KIRILL BORODACHEV AT SHANGHAI GRAND PRIX CLIMAX
Updated: Aug 6
SHANGHAI, CHINA — 17 MAY 2026
World number 3 Kirill Borodachev (AIN) reached the pinnacle of the global circuit, capturing his first-ever career senior international title at the season-closing Shanghai Foil Grand Prix. The decorated foilist capped off a highly consistent individual campaign with an authoritative 15–9 victory in the final at the Haopu Film and Television Base, checking the fairytale run of Poland's breakout star Andrzej Rzadkowski.
The gold marks Borodachev’s third individual podium of the 2025–26 season, adding to his silver medals from the Lima Grand Prix and the Fukuoka World Cup.
While Borodachev took the top step, Rzadkowski (POL)—ranked 125th in the world—authored the undisputed performance of the weekend to take silver. The bronze medals were claimed by Spain's veteran star Carlos Llavador and Italy's rising talent Tommaso Martini.
Path to the Podium
Kirill Borodachev (World number 3) displayed complete tactical clarity across the entire day. His direct elimination run was highlighted by an efficient 15–7 victory over his twin brother, Anton Borodachev, in the round of 32, followed by a matching 15–7 dismantling of Japan’s Nagano Yudai in the last 16. After steering past Great Britain's Marcus Sosonov in the quarter-finals and subduing Llavador 15–11 in the semi-finals, his experience proved insurmountable in the final.
Andrzej Rzadkowski (World number 125) rolled back the years to his 2014 Youth Olympic champion form, making his first-ever senior international semi-final and final. The Polish underdog became the bracket's ultimate giant-killer in the round of 16, shocking world number 5 and Rio 2016 Olympic silver medallist Alexander Massialas (USA) 15–11. He then eliminated Korea's Seo Yechan 15–9 in the quarter-finals and out-pointed Martini 15–13 in a fierce semi-final clash to lock up his historic silver.
Carlos Llavador (World number 18) secured his second career Grand Prix bronze medal with a brilliantly gutsy performance. After eliminating Japan’s Saito Toshiya in the round of 16, the 2018 World bronze medallist found himself in a hostile quarter-final arena against home favorite Zeng Zhaoran (CHN). Llavador showcased exceptional mental resilience, clawing back from a late 14–12 deficit to score three consecutive touches and secure his spot on the podium.
Tommaso Martini (World number 22) logged his first medal of the 2025–26 campaign and his maiden career Grand Prix podium. The Italian navigated an incredibly dense section of the draw, squeezing past world number 8 Mohamed Hamza (EGY) 15–13 before edging out his own teammate—Paris 2024 Olympic silver medallist Filippo Macchi—in a nail-biting 15–14 round of 16 thriller. Martini then dominated the USA's Bryce Louie 15–7 in the quarter-finals before falling just short against Rzadkowski.
