First outdoor match Fencing All Japan Championship Epe wins Kano for the first time

Koki Kano, who won the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics group, won the first individual men's épée championship at the first outdoor fencing championship in Japan to convey the appeal of the competition while taking measures against the new coronavirus. I played.

The final of the Fencing All Japan Championship was held on the 6th in the outdoor space of Roppongi Hills in Minato-ku, Tokyo.

According to the Federation of Japan Fencing, this is the first time that a domestic competition has been held outdoors, and it was planned to convey the appeal of the competition to many people as measures against infection with the new coronavirus are required.

The match is held on the stage set up in front of the spectators' seats, and among the finals of the 5th individual competition for men and women, Kano, who contributed to Japan's first gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics group, is Hitoki Murakami. I played against.

From the beginning, Kano took advantage of the match with a quick thrust and counter, and expanded his lead with 6 consecutive points to win his first victory 15-4.

In other events, 35-year-old veteran Nozomi Sato won the women's epee for the seventh time in a row for two years.

Yudai Nagano won the men's foil for the second time in two years.

In addition, 19-year-old Yuka Ueno won the women's foil, Kento Yoshida won the men's saber, and Risa Takashima won the women's saber for the first time.

Kano, the first men's Epe champion, "I was able to concentrate on the match."

Koki Kano, a male épée who won his first victory, said, "I'm relieved. I was able to put out my goodness in defending and play a patient match."

Regarding the outdoor game, he said, "I was wondering if there was any influence from the surrounding sounds and wind, but I was able to concentrate on the game without worrying about it. It was a lot of excitement and I enjoyed it very much."

In the future, he said with a smile, "I am confident that I was able to win the championship. I have made a good start toward the Paris Olympics three years from now."