đź‡đź‡ş MUHARI MASTERS DOHA TO CLAIM SECOND CAREER GRAND PRIX GOLD
Updated: Aug 5
DOHA, QATAR — 25 JANUARY 2026
Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medallist Eszter Muhari (HUN) continued her stellar season by capturing the gold medal at the first Women’s Epee Grand Prix of the year in Doha. The World number 6, who already secured a bronze at the Vancouver World Cup this season, displayed tactical brilliance to secure her second career Grand Prix title, defeating France’s Alexandra Louis Marie 15-12 in the final.
Louis Marie (FRA), the 2023 European Champion, claimed the silver medal, marking her second career Grand Prix podium. The bronze medals were shared by rising Ukrainian star Anna Maksymenko and the in-form Marie-Florence Candassamy (FRA). For Candassamy, this marks a remarkable third podium in as many events this season, following her gold in Fujairah and silver in Vancouver.
Path to the Podium
Eszter Muhari (HUN) was the model of consistency in Doha. She navigated the early rounds with three consecutive 15-11 victories before facing a high-stakes quarter-final against Italy’s Alberta Santuccio. In a tense encounter, Muhari edged out the two-time European bronze medallist 14-13. She then delivered a gutsy performance in the semi-finals against Maksymenko to win 15-14 and book her place in the final.
Alexandra Louis Marie (FRA) reached the final after a series of nail-biting escapes. Her route included a 15-14 win over London 2012 Olympic Champion Shemyakina (UKR) and an 11-10 sudden-death victory over World number 5 Hadley Husisian (USA). In an all-French semi-final, she overcame her teammate Candassamy 15-12 to secure her spot in the gold medal match.
Anna Maksymenko (UKR) proved her victory at the Budapest Grand Prix last season was no fluke. After fighting through the preliminary rounds, she eliminated World number 18 Kowalczyk (ITA) 15-14 in the Round of 32 and defeated France’s Rembi 14-11 in the quarter-finals to secure her second career Grand Prix medal.
Marie-Florence Candassamy (FRA) showcased her veteran experience throughout the day. Her path to bronze was a gauntlet of top-tier talent, including a 15-12 win over World number 10 Catherine Nixon (USA) and a repeat of her Fujairah success by defeating World number 1 Song Sera (KOR) 15-12 in the quarter-finals.
