Alexander Choupenitch wins fencing World Cup in Japan

World champion fencer Alexander Choupenitch won the opening tournament of the FIE World Cup season in Takamatsu City, Japan. The 32-year-old Czech athlete secured his second career World Cup victory by defeating Frenchman Maxim Pauty with a score of 15:4 in the final.

Choupenitch, currently ranked number one in the FIE rankings, overcame several opponents to claim the title, including Japanese fencer Shoma Fujino, American Chase Emmer, and French fencer Jules Andriamampianina. In the quarterfinals, he defeated Nick Itkin, the world number eight and 2024 Paris Olympic bronze medalist. He also overcame Japanese former world vice-champion Toshio Saito in the semifinals.

This victory marks Choupenitch's seventh World Cup medal and follows his successful season start last year in Palma de Mallorca. Meanwhile, fellow Czech fencer Michael Lev Holý finished in 73rd place after being eliminated in the third preliminary round.