Manon Apithy-Brunet wins gold in sabre after a historic French duel against Sara Balzer

For the first time since 1996, two French women faced each other in the fencing final. It was ultimately Manon Apithy-Brunet who won the gold medal (15 hits to 12).

A historic double. While no French woman had ever won the individual sabre title at the Olympic Games, the Tricolores saw Manon Apithy-Brunet win the gold medal on Monday, July 29, against her compatriot Sara Balzer in a high-energy atmosphere at the Grand Palais (15-12). Two medals that are added to the six others won by the French team during this historic day, sealing a record for medals over 24 hours since the post-war period.

Before this title, the 28-year-old Frenchwoman had gone through all the emotions in front of the Grand Palais crowd, whom she spent the day haranguing and greeting. Well launched after two hard-fought but solid first rounds (15-12 and 15-9), she had to work hard physically and mentally to win in the quarter-finals after a last touch at 14-13 given several times before finally being granted to her. In a tight semi-final, she did not tremble to conclude and seal this 100% French final for history.

After winning individual bronze and team silver at the last Olympic Games, the recent European champion finally adds gold to her Olympic record. With Cecilia Berder and therefore Sara Balzer, the French women’s sabre team will meet on August 3 for a team competition where the Bleues are necessarily favorites. All that remains is to digest the defeat in this final for the saddest Frenchwoman of the evening.